Iran Air said to prepare to restart flights to Japan

Iran Air is preparing to restart flights to Japan following last month’s international deal to end sanctions imposed over Iran’s nuclear program, according to two people familiar with the situation. The carrier will initially restart flights connecting Tokyo’s Narita airport with Tehran, with a stop in Beijing, on a once-a-week basis, said one of the people, who asked not to be identified because a final decision hasn’t been made. The earliest that Iran Air is likely to resume service is next year, the person said. The carrier ended flights to Tokyo in 2012. Iran is aiming to lure business passengers, as well as tourists to visit its World Heritage sites, this person said. Iran and Japan also are discussing allowing direct flights between the countries for multiple airlines, and will come to an agreement on this soon, said another person, who asked not to be identified because the information is not public. Japan Airlines Co. stopped direct flights to Tehran in 1980 following the Iranian Revolution the previous year. Iran placed an outline order in late January for 118 planes from Airbus Group worth almost $27b. Reached by e-mail, Iran Air’s chairman and managing director, Farhad Parvaresh, did not comment on the timing of any potential resumption of flights to Japan but said only, "it all depends on the delivery of our planned aircraft." Iran air currently serves Beijing with Boeing Co. 747s.<br/>