
In a world filled with modern jetliners like a Boeing 787s, 777s, Airbus A350s and A380s, adding an Airbus A310 to your fleet really isn’t something you’d consider in this day and age.
At least that’s the case with airlines not subjected to sanctions. Founded in February 2024, Ava Airlines is the latest Iranian carrier to operate the now-very old Airbus A310. With many international trade restrictions in place, Iranian operators are forced to deal with hand-me-downs as a result of not having access to newer jetliners.
Due to imposed sanctions in place, Ava Airlines operates a number of older jet including two Boeing 737-500s, which are 26 and 31 years old respectively, and an almost 34-year-old McDonnell Douglas MD-83. In their few months operating, they’ve been busy flying back and forth to different destinations within Iran.
Since then, the airline has now entered in the international market, operating the very lucrative Tehran (IKA) – Istanbul (IST) route. Joining the fleet is a 33-year-old Airbus A310 which has quite some history behind it. Originally build for Pan Am, the aircraft was not taken up and instead joined Ecuadorian carrier Ecuatoriana in September 1991.
After less than two years of service, it was then returned to its lessor, re-entering service in 1993, flying for Uzbekistan Airways. After almost two decades, it was withdrawn from Uzbekistan’s fleet and stored for 10 years before joining Tajikistan’s Asia Sky Lines in December 2022. Even then, the aircraft never saw the light of day as it continued to remain in storage until being passed on to Iran Air in July 2023.
Under different circumstances, this aircraft would have been scrapped somewhere in a remote airfield in the desert, but with limited options in Iran, this particular A310 was re-registered as EP-RBD, flying for Iran Air for two months. It was then leased to two other Iranian operators, Qeshm Airlines and Meraj Airlines, before returning joining Ava Airlines in July 2024.
The popular Tehran-Istanbul trade route
Depending on the time of year, there are between 15 to 20+ flights shuttling between Tehran and Istanbul’s two major airports, with a number of other Iranian cities also connecting to Istanbul. Both countries have various trade agreements in place, and a booming tourism market benefiting both parties. While not publicly acknowledged, there are also several networks in Turkey and other surrounding countries that assist in getting good and raw material to Iran.
Just this year, the US Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control stepped in to sanction some Turkish companies aiding Iran in the procurement of items required for the development of missiles, defense and nuclear programs.
So far Ava Airlines will operate one daily round trip flight between these two destinations.
Nine Passenger Airbus A310s still fly to this day
There are nine passenger Airbus A310s still in active service, most of which belong to various Iranian airlines. One Afghan carrier also joins the list as they are also sanctioned by a number of organizations and countries, making it impossible for them to acquire newer aircraft.
The list is as follows:
- Yazd Airways (Iran) – Two – EP-DZA and EP-DZB
- Iran Airtour (Iran) – Four – EP-MDH, EP-MDK, EP-MDL and EP-MDP
- Iran Air (Iran) – One – EP-IBK
- Ava Airlines (Iran) – One – EP-RBD
- Ariana Afghan Airlines (Afghanistan) – Three – YA-CAV, YA-FGF and YA-FGG
Featured image: Ava Airlines