Iran Air
Iran's state-owned flag carrier, operating domestic and international passenger services under the HOMA brand.
Last updated August 21, 2026
AI crawler reads
No AI crawler has read this profile since Oct 28, 2026.
Overview
Iran Air is the flag carrier of Iran and the principal aviation brand of the Islamic Republic of Iran. Officially known as The Airline of the Islamic Republic of Iran, it is headquartered at Tehran's Mehrabad Airport and uses both Mehrabad and Imam Khomeini International Airport as major operating bases. The airline is widely identified in Iran by the name HOMA, an acronym derived from its Persian name and also the name of a mythical Persian bird used in the carrier's emblem. The present airline was created in 1962 through the merger of Iranian Airways and Persian Air Services. Iranian Airways had begun operations in the 1940s, while Persian Air Services initially concentrated on freight and later developed passenger routes. Their consolidation created Iran National Airlines Corporation, commonly shortened to HOMA or Iran Air. The new carrier became a full member of the International Air Transport Association in 1964 and developed into one of the Middle East's prominent airlines during the 1960s and 1970s. Iran Air's expansion before the 1979 Islamic Revolution was marked by the adoption of jet aircraft and the growth of a broad international network. It operated Boeing 707, 727, 737 and 747 aircraft, as well as Airbus A300s, and served destinations across the Middle East, Europe, Asia and North America. In 1971 it inaugurated service between Tehran and New York. The route was later operated nonstop with Boeing 747SP aircraft, giving the airline a notable place in the history of long-haul aviation. By the late 1970s, Iran Air had ambitions to use Tehran as a bridge between Europe, Asia, North America and Australia. The revolution, subsequent political tensions and international sanctions fundamentally changed the airline's development. In 1980 its official name was changed to reflect the Islamic Republic. Restrictions on aircraft purchases, spare parts, technical support, financing and refuelling limited fleet renewal and caused the average age of its aircraft to rise. Iran Air continued to provide domestic connectivity and selected international services, but its ability to compete with better-capitalized regional carriers declined. The airline's operational difficulties were compounded by delays, maintenance constraints and restrictions on access to airports and fuel suppliers. The 1988 destruction of Iran Air Flight 655, which was shot down by the United States Navy cruiser USS Vincennes over the Persian Gulf, remains the airline's most serious historical disaster. All 290 people aboard were killed. Iran later received Airbus aircraft as part of a settlement relating to the incident, although the event continued to shape relations between Iran Air and the United States. A temporary opening followed implementation of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action in January 2016. Civil-aviation sanctions were eased, allowing Iran Air to negotiate purchases from Airbus, Boeing and ATR and to seek improved access to European airports and refuelling services. The airline announced substantial fleet-modernization plans, and ATR turboprops were delivered. The opportunity was short-lived: after the United States withdrew from the nuclear agreement in 2018, aircraft-sales authorizations were revoked and most planned Boeing and Airbus deliveries could not proceed. In 2024, the United States, the United Kingdom, France, Germany and the European Union imposed further sanctions and operating restrictions on Iran Air, citing the airline's alleged role in transporting Iranian weaponry, including missiles, to Russia in the context of the Russo-Ukrainian War. These measures further constrained the carrier's European network. Iran Air nevertheless remains an active state-owned airline serving Iranian domestic markets and selected international destinations, with Iran Air Cargo providing a separate cargo operation.
History
Iran Air's institutional history began with Iranian Airways, established in May 1944 by Reza Afshar and Gholam Ebtehaj. Its early passenger operation connected Tehran with Mashhad and other Iranian cities, and it soon added regional and European destinations including Cairo, Baghdad, Tel Aviv and Paris. The airline initially relied on Douglas DC-3 aircraft and later operated Douglas DC-4s and Vickers Viscounts. Persian Air Services was founded in 1954 as a private carrier focused first on freight. It subsequently entered passenger aviation and, using aircraft leased from Sabena, opened services from Tehran to destinations such as Geneva, Paris, Brussels and London. Iranian Airways was nationalized in 1961. On 24 February 1962 it merged with Persian Air Services to establish Iran National Airlines Corporation, known by the Persian acronym HOMA and internationally as Iran Air. The HOMA bird became the airline's visual symbol. During the 1960s and 1970s, Iran Air developed into a major international airline. It joined IATA in 1964 and introduced Boeing 707 jets, followed by Boeing 727s, Boeing 737s and Boeing 747s. In 1971 it opened its Tehran–New York route, later using Boeing 747SP aircraft on a nonstop service. Airbus A300s were added in the late 1970s for domestic trunk and regional routes. At the end of that decade, the carrier served more than 30 international destinations and was considering additional long-range links to North America and Australia. The 1979 revolution and the subsequent sanctions environment halted much of this expansion. In 1980 the airline adopted its current official Islamic Republic designation. Restrictions on aircraft purchases, components and technical support forced Iran Air to keep older aircraft in service and, in some cases, to ground aircraft that could not be maintained. The 1988 destruction of Iran Air Flight 655 by the USS Vincennes killed 290 people and became a defining event in the airline's history. Two Airbus A300 aircraft were later received as compensation connected with the incident. Iran Air continued to operate domestic services and a reduced international network despite sanctions. Its Caracas route, opened in 2007 through Damascus, illustrated the carrier's efforts to maintain long-distance links with politically aligned states, although the route's fuel consumption and operating costs made it unsustainable for Iran Air. The airline also faced persistent delays and public criticism, while sanctions made fleet renewal and access to spare parts increasingly difficult. The 2016 implementation of the JCPOA created a brief opportunity for modernization. Iran Air announced plans to acquire a large number of Airbus, Boeing, Bombardier and Embraer aircraft, and ATR regional aircraft were delivered. The opening closed after the United States withdrew from the agreement in 2018 and reinstated sanctions, preventing most planned aircraft transactions. In 2024, new United States, European and British measures further restricted Iran Air, citing alleged involvement in transporting weapons to Russia. These sanctions reduced access to European markets and added another constraint to the carrier's already limited fleet and network. Iran Air remains an active state-owned flag carrier, with domestic operations, selected international passenger services and a small cargo division.
- 2024
Further sanctions restrict European operations
[4]The United States, European states and the European Union imposed new measures against Iran Air over alleged weapon transfers to Russia.
- 2018
Aircraft-sale licenses are revoked
[1]The United States reinstated sanctions and revoked licenses supporting planned Boeing and Airbus sales to Iran.
- 2017
ATR regional aircraft are delivered
[1]ATR aircraft entered Iran Air's fleet during the period of sanctions relief.
- 2016
Sanctions relief enables fleet-modernization plans
[1]Following implementation of the JCPOA, Iran Air regained permission to pursue new civil-aircraft purchases and expanded European refuelling access.
- 2010
EU operating restrictions
[1]The European Commission restricted the operation of several Iran Air aircraft types in the European Union on safety grounds.
- 2007
Tehran–Caracas service begins
[1]Iran Air launched a long-distance route to Caracas through Damascus in cooperation with Conviasa.
- 1988
Iran Air Flight 655 is destroyed
[2]An Airbus A300 operating Flight 655 was shot down over the Persian Gulf, killing all 290 people aboard.
- 1980
Official name changes to Islamic Republic of Iran Airlines
[1]The carrier changed its official name following the Islamic Revolution.
- 1978
Airbus A300s join the fleet
[1]Iran Air acquired Airbus A300 aircraft for heavily used domestic and regional routes.
- 1971
Tehran–New York route opens
[1]The airline inaugurated its first Tehran–New York service, later operating a nonstop version with Boeing 747SP aircraft.
Products and positioning
National flag carrier and state-owned provider of domestic and international air connectivity for Iran.
Passenger airline · 1944
Domestic passenger services
Iran Air connects Tehran with major Iranian cities and provides scheduled domestic transportation. Mehrabad Airport has historically been the principal base for domestic operations. These routes are strategically important because they connect the capital with regional administrative, commercial and cultural centers.
Passenger airline · 1946
International passenger services
The carrier operates international services where aircraft availability, bilateral permissions, sanctions and airport access allow. Its historical network has included destinations in the Middle East, Europe and Asia, although the European portion has been repeatedly reduced by regulatory and sanctions-related restrictions.
Air cargo
Iran Air Cargo
Iran Air Cargo is the airline's freight division. Reference material describes it as operating scheduled international cargo services with one cargo aircraft. Cargo activity complements the passenger network but remains smaller than the airline's passenger business.
Inflight service
HOMA onboard service
In accordance with the airline's interpretation of Islamic operating and catering requirements, Iran Air does not serve alcoholic beverages and does not offer non-halal food selections such as pork on its flights.
Controversies
2024
Sanctions over alleged weapon transfers to Russia
The United States and European authorities sanctioned Iran Air in 2024, alleging that the airline participated in the transfer of Iranian weaponry to Russia during the Russo-Ukrainian War. The measures restricted commercial relationships and contributed to the loss of access to European routes.
1988
Iran Air Flight 655 destruction
Iran Air Flight 655, an Airbus A300 traveling from Bandar Abbas to Dubai, was shot down over the Persian Gulf by the USS Vincennes on 3 July 1988. All 290 occupants died. The United States said the warship mistakenly identified the civilian aircraft as a military target, while Iran rejected that explanation. The incident remains one of the deadliest events involving a commercial aircraft and a major source of controversy in Iran–United States relations.
Brand decisions
2024
Respond to renewed European operating restrictionsOtherBackground
European governments and the European Union cited alleged Iranian transfers of missiles and other weaponry to Russia.
Action taken
Sanctions were imposed on Iran Air and related aviation activity, limiting the airline's ability to serve European destinations.
Aftermath
The measures further reduced Iran Air's international operating options and compounded earlier fleet, maintenance and refuelling constraints.
2018
Rework fleet plans after renewed United States sanctionsStrategyBackground
The United States withdrew from the JCPOA and restored sanctions affecting Iran's access to aircraft, parts and related commercial licenses.
Action taken
Iran Air canceled or lost access to planned Boeing purchases and faced uncertainty over Airbus deliveries, while aircraft that could be delivered within the applicable wind-down period remained possible.
Aftermath
The carrier continued operating an older and constrained fleet, with only limited additions from the brief sanctions-relief period.
2016
Plan major fleet renewal after sanctions reliefStrategyBackground
Implementation of the JCPOA temporarily restored Iran Air's ability to negotiate purchases of Western-built civil aircraft.
Action taken
The airline pursued a large fleet-modernization program involving Airbus, Boeing, Bombardier, Embraer and ATR aircraft.
Aftermath
ATR aircraft were delivered, but most planned Boeing and Airbus transactions were disrupted when the United States withdrew from the nuclear agreement in 2018.
2007
Launch Tehran–Caracas serviceStrategyBackground
Iran and Venezuela maintained close political relations, creating a rationale for a long-distance air link between the two countries.
Action taken
Iran Air introduced a Tehran–Caracas service via Damascus and codeshared with Conviasa.
Aftermath
The service was expensive to operate because of fuel consumption and payload limitations, and Conviasa later assumed the route.
1962
Merge Iranian Airways with Persian Air ServicesM&ABackground
Iranian Airways had been nationalized, while Persian Air Services had developed freight and passenger operations as a private carrier.
Action taken
The two airlines were combined to form Iran National Airlines Corporation, known as HOMA or Iran Air.
Aftermath
The merger created Iran's national flag carrier and provided the institutional foundation for later domestic and international expansion.
Sources5 sources
Cite this profile: Cite the canonical profile. /brand-wiki/iran-air · Editorial policy · How profiles are compiled