Portugal Calls for Tehran-Lisbon Direct Flights

“The people of Portugal are very much interested in visiting Iran’s historical sites, but the lack of direct flights between the two countries prevents them from visiting Iran,” Costa Oliveira said in a meeting with Iran’s Isfahan Governor General Rasoul Zargarpour on Tuesday May 31.

He pointed to his country’s willingness to take part in joint ventures, saying, “Portuguese companies are deeply interested in investing in Iran, especially in Isfahan province.

Oliveira referred to Portugal’s good track record in the tourism sector, and said, “15% of Portugal’s revenues rely on tourism.”

In mid-May, Tehran and Lisbon agreed to boost their mutual cooperation in the aviation industry and transportation by establishing direct flights between the two capitals. The issue was raised in a meeting between Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Hassan Qashqavi and Portuguese State Minister for International Affairs in Lisbon.

Qashqavi said that in their meeting, the two sides exchanged views on implementation of agreements and starting direct flights between Tehran and Lisbon. The Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister said that Iran and Portugal will begin exchanging visits by high-ranking officials soon.

In January 2015, Iran and Portugal agreed to boost their mutual cooperation air transportation.

“The heads of the civil aviation organizations of Iran and Portugal have conferred on mutual cooperation in air transportation and establishing direct flights between Tehran and Lisbon,” Deputy Head of the Civil Aviation Organization of Iran Mohammad Khodakarami said.

“A 25-article air transportation agreement has been signed between Iran and Portugal,” Head of the Civil Aviation Organization of Iran Alireza Jahangirian said at the time.

The MoU, which was an effort to remove the obstacles standing in the way of air transportation between the two countries, was endorsed by the two countries’ aviation chiefs.

“Iran Air, the national flag carrier, and Portugal’s Euro Atlantic have been mentioned as designated airlines in the MoU,” Jahangirian added.