Amid the ongoing US-Iran war, Iran has proposed to the Indian government the launch of direct flights between Tehran and New Delhi, with an Iranian airline likely to operate the service, sources told News18
India on Wednesday.
According to the Iranian sources, the proposal has already been submitted to the government of India by an Iranian airline via the Iran Embassy in India.
The move comes after Mahan Air’s operations in India were suspended following the outbreak of the war. The suspension has affected both passenger and, more recently, cargo operations between Iran and India.
On July 30, the United States sanctioned six entities and individuals, including India-based Skiez Travels, for allegedly supporting Iranian airline Mahan Air. The US accused the entities of helping sustain what it described as a terrorist enterprise.
While Mahan Air’s passenger services to India were suspended, its cargo operations continued until recently.
According to sources, around 30,000 passengers travel from India to Iran every year, while approximately 20,000 to 25,000 passengers travel from Iran to India annually.
Iranian sources told News18 India that restoring direct air connectivity would make travel easier for passengers and tourists travelling between the two countries.
A significant number of Indians travelling to Iran do so for religious and educational purposes, making direct connectivity particularly important for these travellers.
The proposed flights could also have a wider tourism impact. According to the Iranian source, direct connectivity with India could encourage Iranian tourists travelling onwards to destinations such as Malaysia and Indonesia to consider Delhi as part of their travel itineraries.
Iran believes that renewed direct air connectivity between the two countries could strengthen people-to-people ties, tourism and overall travel between India and Iran.
