Emirates adds flight, cargo capacity to Iran

OREANDA-NEWS. Dubai-based airline Emirates today began its first non-stop flights to the northeast Iranian city of Mashhad, also increasing its air freight capacity to Iran.

Mashhad is Emirates' second Iranian destination after the capital Tehran, which it has been serving since March 1990.

Emirates last carried more than 500,000 passengers and transported over 15,900t of cargo to and from Iran.

With the new service to Mashhad, Emirates SkyCargo, the freight division of Emirates, will provide more than 150t of capacity between Iran and the UAE each week.

"We anticipate that trade between the UAE and Iran to further flourish as a result of the launch of this new direct five times weekly service," said Emirates' vice-president cargo commercial for the Middle East, Gulf Cooperation Council and Iran, Khalid Mohd Al Hinai.

The anticipated easing of US and EU sanctions on Iran by the end of this year, following a deal over Tehran's nuclear programme, is expected to open Iran to more trade and tourism opportunities, raising the prospect of more air travel and increased jet fuel demand.