Russia's Aeroflot Sends Jet to Iran for Repair

Russia's largest air carrier Aeroflot says it has sent one of its Airbus planes to Iran for repair, as the company’s maintenance capabilities are crippled by Western sanctions.

"The maintenance of the Airbus A330 aircraft [in Iran] will be implemented by a provider for a wide range of work," Aeroflot said in a statement on April 11.

"The firm has all the necessary material resources, certificates and extensive experience, [while] the provider performs maintenance with a high quality level," the airline said.

Aeroflot did not provide further details, but Russia’s RBC media outlet reported that the plane was sent to Tehran on April 5 to be repaired by specialists from Iran's carrier Mahan Air.

Mahan Air was blacklisted by the United States in 2011 for providing “transportation, funds transfers and personnel travel services” to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps’ (IRGC) expeditionary Quds Force.

Sanctions imposed on Russia after its unprovoked invasion of Ukraine in February last year have prevented its airlines from obtaining aircraft and spare parts or undergoing maintenance in the West.