Iran's national flag carrier connecting the nation to the world.
Founded
1944
Headquarters
Tehran, Iran
Iran Air, officially known as Homa Airlines, is the national airline of Iran and one of the oldest carriers in the Middle East. Founded in 1944 and rebranded as Iran Air in 1962, the airline operates domestic and international routes from its primary hub at Imam Khomeini International Airport in Tehran.
The airline has faced significant challenges due to decades of international sanctions, which severely restricted its ability to purchase modern Western aircraft and spare parts. Despite these constraints, Iran Air has maintained operations across a network spanning Europe, Asia, and the Middle East.
Following the 2015 nuclear deal (JCPOA), Iran Air placed large orders with Airbus and Boeing, though the reimposition of US sanctions in 2018 halted deliveries. The carrier operates with an aging fleet but continues to serve as a critical link for Iranian passengers traveling domestically and internationally.
Hubs & network
Iran Air's primary hub is Imam Khomeini International Airport (IKA) in Tehran, with Mehrabad International Airport (THR) also serving as a significant base for domestic operations.
Fleet
Iran Air operates an aging mixed fleet including Airbus A300, A310, A320, A321, and A330 aircraft, along with some ATR 72 turboprops for regional routes.
Notable facts
- ›Iran Air is one of the oldest airlines in the Middle East, tracing its origins to 1944.
- ›The airline's logo features the 'Homa bird,' a mythical Iranian phoenix, giving it the informal name Homa Airlines.
- ›US and EU sanctions significantly hampered Iran Air's fleet renewal for decades.
- ›After the 2015 JCPOA agreement, Iran Air ordered 100 Airbus and 80 Boeing aircraft, but most deliveries were blocked after sanctions were reimposed in 2018.
- ›Iran Air briefly received a small number of ATR aircraft and Airbus jets before renewed sanctions halted further deliveries.
This profile is provided for general information only. Contact details may be inaccurate or outdated — always verify with the airline's official website before acting on them.
