Tehran, June 24, IRNA-An official of the aviation industry has said that about 1,200 seats have been added to the capacity of the country's air fleet since the beginning of the current Iranian year (March 21).

Nourollah Rezaei Niaraki, superintendent of the Civil Aviation Organization (CAO), said on Saturday that following agreements entered into by the industry, eight airplanes have joined the Iranian air fleet since the start of the year.

He was confident all requirements of the air fleet for this year would be met.

Commenting on the proposed increase in ticket prices, he said pertinent officials are still conducting a review and a final decision will be rendered by the cabinet.

Referring to a growing public demand for the launch of an air route to the United States, Niaraki said a reply from the US government was still being awaited to Iran's request, adding that the matter is persistently being followed up by Iranian officials.

"Our representative in the International Air Travel Organization (IATA) is presently following up the request, but have not received an answer from the US so far," he noted.

On flights to Iraq, he said that an Iranian airline company which undertook flights earlier has cancelled them temporarily due to shortage in passengers.

Niaraki said that his organization is currently considering the reopening of flights to Iraq by the Islamic Republic of Iran Airlines (Homa).