Iran Air to Belgrade

A new frequent visitor for Belgrade Airport

The national carrier of Iran, Iran Air, has commenced flights to Belgrade, albeit as a technical stop only. Most of Iran Air’s services originating from Western Europe to Tehran’s Imam Khomeini International Airport now land in Belgrade in order to refuel. This is because most companies at European airports have refused to sell fuel to the Iranian flag carrier, the latest being Austrian OMV which refused to renew its contract with Iran Air yesterday. Upon the request of Iran Air, Belgrade has cleared the airline to commence flights to the Serbian capital.

The technical stops commenced last Friday with 2 Iran Air Airbus A300s landing at Nikola Tesla Airport. Once an Iran Air aircraft lands in Belgrade they are parked at platform B, across from the Terminal 1 gates, where the refuelling is conducted. No passengers are allowed to enter or leave the aircraft. Following the refuelling, the flights continue to Tehran. Belgrade is an interesting choice as fuel at Belgrade Airport is far from cheap.

Recently, an Iranian foreign ministry spokesman Ramin Mehmanparast said, “Unfortunately, some Western companies have adopted inappropriate policies”. Iran Air said that passengers could expect an additional 90 minutes to their flights due to the refuelling. Iran Air is having the biggest fuel supply problems at London Heathrow Airport. The European Union imposed sanctions against Iran last year due to controversies over the Iranian nuclear program. They have been described as the toughest sanctions ever to be imposed by the European Union onto another country.