Doubts over Iran’s plan to buy A380s

Fresh signs show Iran may cancel the purchase of A380 planes from Airbus as officials in Tehran say the government is having second thoughts about the order. 

Reuters in a report has quoted an Iranian official as saying that the Islamic Republic may not take delivery of a dozen of the world’s largest jetliners as agreed in a basic deal signed with Airbus in Paris earlier this year.  

"We always made clear this is an option," an Iranian official told Reuters, asking not to be identified.

"It is possible to switch to other models," he added.

In January, Iran signed a major deal worth over $27 billion for the purchase of 118 planes from Airbus.  The deal – which is yet to be finalized – was signed during a landmark trip to Paris by Iran’s President Hassan Rouhani.

An industry source familiar with the region told Reuters that Iran was committed to the rest of the order, but was less interested in taking the A380s. 

Another Iranian official said main obstacles to completing the full order were remaining US financial sanctions.

Others said the A380 part of the order, worth $5.2 billion at list prices, can be canceled or amended without penalty under the contract before Airbus starts building the jets.

To the same effect, Iran announced in February that it will replace A380 Airbus planes with A350 planes if the conditions for their delivery are not met as agreed.

The announcement was made by Farhad Parvaresh, the managing director of national flag carrier Iran Air, who did not provide details. 

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