Transportation

A French delegation will come to Iran soon to discuss the number of direct flights between Tehran and Paris, said the deputy head of Iran's Civil Aviation Organization.

The renovation will help Iran regain its previous position as a key aviation hub in the region, said Akhoundi.

Officials in Tehran say the country has serious plans to use the opportunities that the last week’s breakthrough in nuclear talks with P5+1 has provided to promote its domestic airline industry.

The Russian minister of transport has said that Moscow is negotiating with Iran on the supply of Russian passenger planes Sukhoi Superjet 100 to Iran.

Some 14 Airbus and Boeing passenger planes have been overhauled inside the country and will join the civil fleet before the end of year, said Hamid Habibi.

India has signed a contract worth $233 million with Iran for exports of rail tracks by companies including Steel Authority of India.

International shipping lines are stepping up port calls to Iran as the country’s massive maritime trade sector is emerging from sanctions.

A multi-purpose port Iran is building near the Strait of Hormuz has absorbed 700 million euros in foreign investment. Officials say the new port can turn into one of the biggest and most discussed international ports in the world.

Abbas Akhundi said that due to sanctions during the past decades Iran has just managed to buy second-hand planes, noting the renovation of the national air fleet is an absolute necessity.

The first cargo, including 45 freight wagons, carried on the Silk Road railway has crossed the Incha-Burun border with Turkmenistan into Iran.