AIR INDIA EXPRESS TO FLY TO IRAN FROM APRIL NEXT YEAR

India Express, the low-cost arm of national carrier Air India (AI), will launch flights to Iran from early next year making it the first Indian airline to operate to Tehran.

Shyam Sundar, CEO, AI Express said the flight, which would initially be four times a week, will be launched from April next year.

As first reported by HT on July 11, Wadia Group-owned Goair had sought and was subsequently granted rights to operate services to Tehran.

The Mumbai-based budget carrier has got the government’s nod to fly to eight countries other than Iran beginning next March which would make it the fifth Indian airline to fly abroad.

“Goa has become a favourite destination for tourists from Iran. We have witnessed a big spurt in bookings by Iranian tourists,” said Rajji Rai, chairman, Swift Travels.

AI officials are also betting on the large number of students from Iran who travel to India especially Pune.

AI is also expected to write to Exim Bank, US, informing it about its decision to operate the Tehran flight. This will be done as some AI Express planes are financed though a loan from Exim Bank.

Goair, which has also been granted rights to China, Vietnam, Maldives, Azerbaijan, Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Qatar and Saudi Arabia, is expected to launch international flights early next year.

AI Express reported a profit of ₹362 crore in financial year 2015-16 as compared to a ₹62 crore loss the previous fiscal.