An official of Iran's flag carrier (Iran Air) said here Sunday that an Air-Bus model (A310-304) has been added to its fleet, IRNA reported from Tehran.

Iran Air quoted Director for Public Relations Ali Bashiri as saying that the aircraft which belonged to an European Bank was leased out to the 'Mid West' company.

He added that repair and maintenance of the plane has been carried out by reputable European companies in recent years. "The plane has been delivered to Iran Air following major repairs -- overhaul -- at the German firm 'ASL'," Bashiri said.

The aircraft was built in 1993 and has a capacity for 208 passengers, he added.

Iran Air earned the most revenues in the last Iranian year (ended March 20) on its European route with the highest amount (dlrs 29 million) registered in Germany.

Iran Air, in a bulletin released last month, said the most passengers on its European routes are traders, industrialists and students.

It said many Iranians living in Europe also use the flights on transit to the continent on their way to US destinations.

The three destinations in Germany followed by Amsterdam and Stockholm had the highest growth rate in revenues last year, the report added.

In order to increase efficiency, reduce subsidies and in line with the privatization drive of the economy, the government is mulling privatizing the carrier.

... Payvand News - 1/26/04 ... --