ATR seeks US approval for Iran planes

LONDON/PARIS, July 4, (RTRS): Europe’s ATR is urging the Trump administration to unblock the export of about six regional planes to Iran, warning of “serious damage” to its finances from the breakdown of deals negotiated with Washington’s approval before a change of foreign policy.

Deliveries of ATR turboprops were halted in May after the United States — which must approve exports of planes containing over 10 percent US parts — withdrew from a 2015 international nuclear deal with Iran.

Although Washington announced a 90-day wind-down period for business conducted under the accord, aircraft deliveries halted after the US Treasury said it would revoke export licences.

ATR Chief Executive Christian Scherer said the Franco-Italian company had applied for new licences to allow some outstanding business to be completed before the August deadline and was now in discussions with the US Treasury. He told Reuters ATR would argue that it had sold aircraft “in good faith” under US government licences and that blocking the rest of the deal would cause ATR “serious damage”.

Asghar Fakhrieh-Kashan, senior advisor to Iran’s roads and urban development minister, said six aircraft were involved.

“The money to pay for these planes is ready. If they can get the licence from the Americans, we will pay the company for the six ATR planes,” he told Iran’s Mehr news agency.

The US Treasury could not be reached for contact on a US public holiday. IranAir ordered 200 aircraft under the nuclear deal, under which most international sanctions were lifted in exchange for restrictions on Iran’s nuclear activities.