CAPA Iran Aviation Summit: optimism abounds over market potential for Iran's nascent industry

Optimism about the future for Iran's aviation sector abounded at the CAPA Iran Aviation Summit 2016. With sanction barriers now coming down, Iran's airlines, airports and tourism operators are finally able to look beyond mere survival and begin making plans for the future. Western airlines, leasing companies and financiers, as well as industry suppliers are also exhibiting strong interest in the market and its long term potential.

This positive outlook at the Summit was tinged with recognition that there are also significant deficiencies that Iran needs to address. The decades of economic and political isolation from the mainstream have left aviation in Iran well behind the rest of the world. A concerted effort across numerous fronts will be necessary before Iran achieves a modern aviation industry.

In discussions at the CAPA Iran Aviation Summit, participants suggested three main areas that represent potential brakes on Iran's aviation development and growth: infrastructure, policy/regulation, and human resources. In addition, questions of financing - who will fund modernisation development and how it will be financed - remained a key topic of discussion at the summit.