‘Iran to export 6 Iran-140 planes’

Managing director of Iran’s Aviation Industries Organization (IAIO) Manouchehr Manteqi says Iran plans to export six domestically-built “Iran-140” passenger planes in the near future.

“Negotiations have been held with several countries in this respect and we have reached final agreement with one country,” Manteqi told IRNA on Tuesday.

Manteqi further said that Iran will export six airplanes in the first stage and 30 airplanes in the next stage.

Earlier, the Iranian official said that Iran is planning to become a major aviation industry hub in the region.

“[Iran’s] President [Mahmoud] Ahmadinejad has approved the organization’s mission to turn the country into an aviation hub,” Manteqi said.

Iran is cooperating with Ukraine and Russia in the production and operation of the Antonov An-140 airliner, which can carry 52 passengers.

After purchasing the production license for the An-140 from Ukraine in 2000, Iran built its first Iran-140 passenger plane in 2003.