Air France resumes flights to Iran after 8 years

Air France resumed flights to Iran Sunday after last year's landmark deal to curb Iranian nuclear activities, as part of larger French and European efforts to rebuild trade ties long frozen by sanctions. The direct flight from Paris to Tehran was the first since 2008. Air France CE Frederic Gagey was optimistic the line would prove profitable. "It's a touristic destination which I believe is going to become very popular, very attractive," he said. Air France is also counting on Paris to become a hub for American and other tourists headed to Tehran. The resumption of flights will restore a longstanding aviation link between the two countries. The airline operated flights to Tehran from 1946 until Oct 2008, when they were suspended amid UN and EU sanctions against Iran over its nuclear program. <br/>