ATA Airlines

Corporate brand

An Iranian airline headquartered in Tabriz, serving domestic routes and selected international destinations with scheduled and charter passenger flights.

Last updated October 30, 2026

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Overview

ATA Airlines, also known by the Persian name Havâpeymâyi-ye ÂTÂ, is an Iranian passenger airline headquartered in Tabriz. It was established on 17 December 2008 and began flying its first route, from Tabriz to Mashhad, on 31 December 2009. Regular operations are generally dated to 2010. The name is reported to mean “father” in Azerbaijani languages. Despite a logo that has been noted as resembling that of the former American carrier American Trans Air, ATA Airlines (Iran) is a separate company with no connection to that airline. The carrier developed around Tabriz and Mashhad, while also serving Tehran. Its business includes scheduled domestic passenger transport, selected international services, and charter flights. The network has connected Iranian cities for travel, tourism, and business, with international routes at different times extending to destinations in the region and beyond. Routes and schedules have changed over time, so historical announcements should not be taken as evidence that every route remains in operation. Tabriz Shahid Madani International Airport is the airline’s principal base; reference sources also list Mashhad and Tehran airports among its hubs. ATA’s international expansion included a Tabriz–Baku–Tehran service announced in 2016. In 2018, the airline announced a Mashhad–Islamabad service and flights to Kazan, Russia; the Kazan route was dropped that year. The airline’s published route plans and its operating network have therefore included both short-lived additions and periodic adjustments. Its activities have also been affected by regulatory and operational constraints. In 2023, reports said its international services were suspended, amid passenger-rights complaints and regulatory issues; reporting later described the suspension as temporary. Separately, an ATA flight returning to Istanbul in March 2023 after a cabin-pressure problem made a safe landing, and a 2022 flight diverted to Isfahan after a reported fuel leak required an engine shutdown. These were operational incidents, not evidence of a broader finding about the airline’s safety record. The airline has operated a mixed fleet of narrow-body and regional aircraft, with reported types including Airbus A320s, Boeing 737s, Embraer ERJ 145s, and McDonnell Douglas MD-80 series aircraft. Three ERJ 145s were added to the fleet in 2021 and entered service in 2024; MD-87 aircraft were also introduced in 2024. Aircraft availability and fleet counts vary across sources and dates, so this entry names aircraft types rather than treating any single fleet snapshot as definitive. In June 2025, after Tabriz airport had been closed during the Iran–Israel conflict and subsequent runway repairs, an ATA Airlines flight to Istanbul became the first flight to depart from the reopened airport. This episode reflected the airline’s close association with its home base as well as the importance of airport access to its regional network. Fleet listings and later reports indicate that ATA continued operating after the reopening. It remains a privately owned Iranian airline; available references do not establish a founder, parent company, or current chief executive.

History

ATA Airlines was established on 17 December 2008 in Tabriz, northwestern Iran. It operated its first flight, from Tabriz to Mashhad, on 31 December 2009; regular commercial operations are generally dated to 2010. Its Persian name is rendered as Havâpeymâyi-ye ÂTÂ, and the name ATA is reported to mean “father” in Azerbaijani languages. It is unrelated to the defunct United States airline American Trans Air, notwithstanding observations that the two carriers’ logos look similar. The airline’s initial identity and network were closely associated with Tabriz and domestic Iranian travel. It built services linking Tabriz with other Iranian cities and also developed connections through Mashhad and Tehran. These cities appear in accounts of its hubs and route network. Its service offering has encompassed scheduled domestic flights, scheduled international routes, and charter operations. As with many carriers, destinations and schedules have shifted over the years; announcements of proposed or seasonal services do not necessarily indicate continuing operations. ATA expanded beyond Iran with a Tabriz–Baku–Tehran route announced in 2016. In 2018, it announced a Mashhad–Islamabad service and flights to Kazan, Russia. The Kazan route was discontinued in 2018. These developments show an effort to connect its Iranian network with nearby international destinations, although the airline’s international footprint remained changeable. Reports also said that in 2021 the airline added three Embraer ERJ 145 aircraft; those aircraft were reported to have entered service in 2024. The airline added McDonnell Douglas MD-87 aircraft in 2024 as well. Other aircraft types attributed to its fleet include Airbus A320s, Boeing 737s, and McDonnell Douglas MD-80 series jets. Published fleet figures differ by source and observation date, and aircraft may be parked or undergoing maintenance; fleet counts are therefore not treated here as fixed facts. The airline encountered operational and regulatory challenges. In March 2023, an ATA flight from Istanbul to Tehran returned to Istanbul after a cabin-pressure problem and landed safely. A separate 2022 flight from Kish to Tehran diverted to Isfahan after a reported fuel-supply problem led the crew to shut down an engine. In 2023, press reports described the suspension of international flights following complaints concerning delays and passenger rights, while other accounts referred to regulatory concerns. The reporting does not indicate that ATA ceased domestic operations. These episodes are included as service and regulatory developments, not classified as scandals. The airline’s home airport has also shaped its public profile. In June 2025, following conflict-related damage and a period of closure, Tabriz airport reopened after runway repairs. Contemporary reporting identified an ATA flight to Istanbul as the first flight to depart from the reopened airport. Later fleet listings continue to identify ATA as an operating Iranian airline. Available references identify the company as privately owned, but do not establish its founder, parent company, ownership group, or a current chief executive. A conference attendee list from 2016 names Daghigh Kia as chief executive at that time; it does not confirm whether he held the role later.

2025
First departure from reopened Tabriz airport
[3]Iran reopens Tabriz airport after war damageiranwire.com
After runway repairs and the reopening of Tabriz airport, an ATA Airlines flight to Istanbul was reported as the first departure from the airport.
2024
ERJ 145s enter service and MD-87 aircraft introduced
[1]ATA Airlines (Iran)en.wikipedia.org
Reports identify 2024 as the year the airline put its three ERJ 145s into service and added MD-87 aircraft.
2023
International flights temporarily suspended, according to reports
[9]International flights temporarily suspended, according to reportsar.irangate.news
News reports described a suspension of international flights amid passenger-rights complaints and regulatory concerns. The reports do not indicate a shutdown of the airline’s entire operation.
2021
Three ERJ 145 aircraft added
[1]ATA Airlines (Iran)en.wikipedia.org
The airline added three Embraer ERJ 145 aircraft to its fleet; later reports said they entered service in 2024.
2018
International route announcements and Kazan route discontinued
[1]ATA Airlines (Iran)en.wikipedia.org
ATA announced Mashhad–Islamabad flights and service to Kazan, while the Kazan route was discontinued during the same year.
2016
Tabriz–Baku–Tehran service announced
[8]Tabriz–Baku–Tehran service announcedata-airlines.ru
The airline expanded its international route offering with a service connecting Tabriz, Baku, and Tehran.
2010
Regular operations begin
[2]ATA Airlines fleet details and historyplanespotters.net
Reference sources commonly date ATA Airlines’ scheduled commercial operations to 2010.
2009
First flight
[1]ATA Airlines (Iran)en.wikipedia.org
The airline’s first flight operated from Tabriz to Mashhad on 31 December.
2008
Airline established
[1]ATA Airlines (Iran)en.wikipedia.org
ATA Airlines was established on 17 December in Tabriz, Iran.

Products and positioning

A Tabriz-based Iranian airline focused on domestic connectivity, selected international routes, and charter operations. Its network has included regional Middle Eastern and neighboring-country destinations, with schedules changing over time.

Airline service · 2009
Domestic scheduled passenger services
ATA Airlines connects Tabriz and other Iranian cities through scheduled passenger flights. Tabriz, Mashhad, and Tehran have appeared as important points in its network. Destinations and frequencies vary over time, so any historical route should be checked against current schedules before being treated as active.
Airline service · 2016
International scheduled passenger services
The carrier has operated or announced international services linking Iran with destinations in neighboring countries and the broader region. Reported examples include the Tabriz–Baku–Tehran route and services to destinations such as Istanbul. Routes have changed over time, and the airline has experienced reported temporary interruptions to international operations.
Airline service
Charter passenger flights
In addition to scheduled flying, ATA Airlines has been described as operating charter passenger services. Available references do not provide a consistent or complete list of charter routes, customers, or seasonal programs.

Brand decisions

2025
Resume departures from Tabriz after airport reopeningOther
Background
Tabriz airport was closed after conflict-related damage and reopened after runway repairs.
Action taken
An ATA Airlines flight to Istanbul became the first reported departure from the reopened airport.
Aftermath
The flight restored an ATA-operated connection from its home base after the airport’s closure.
Source
2023
Suspend international flights temporarily, according to press reportsOther
Background
Reports linked the interruption to passenger complaints about delays and passenger rights, alongside regulatory concerns.
Action taken
The airline’s international services were reported suspended beginning in April 2023.
Aftermath
Later accounts described the interruption as temporary. Available reporting does not establish that ATA Airlines suspended all domestic operations.
Source
2018
Announce Mashhad–Islamabad and Kazan servicesProduct launch
Background
ATA Airlines pursued additional international connections from its Iranian network.
Action taken
The airline announced flights to Islamabad from Mashhad and service to Kazan.
Aftermath
The Kazan route was discontinued in 2018. The available references do not establish the eventual operating history of the announced Islamabad service.
Source
2016
Introduce Tabriz–Baku–Tehran serviceProduct launch
Background
The airline sought to extend its network beyond domestic Iranian connections with a route linking Tabriz, Baku, and Tehran.
Action taken
ATA Airlines began the route in 2016, according to reference accounts.
Aftermath
The service marked an international expansion; the available sources do not establish its complete operating period or current status.
Source

Sources10 sources

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