|
|
Iranian Airways, the
founding company of Iran Air, commenced scheduled air services in 1946,
after the end of the Second World War.
Iranian Airways (the predecessor of Iran Air up to 1962) started a
commercial venture in an impoverished travel market. The founders and the
first entrepreneurs not only established a national carrier, but also
introduced air services, provided leisure and city tours, educated travel
agencies and lobbied legislatures. An airline emerged and soared above the
high mountains and landed at the few paved airports and military fields
left behind from the war. In a few years, with a fleet of 17 mostly DC-3
aircraft, the airline had both domestic and international routes covering
many major Middle East cities.
Today, Iran Air flies to
over 23 international, 20 national destinations. According to operational
figures released for the year 2000, 5.7 million revenue passengers were
carried on domestic routes, with a passenger load factor of 87%, while
International flights carried 1.58 million passengers, with a load factor
of 62.3%. Many foreign airlines are competing on routes to Iran, but Iran
Air still retains 55% of the market share. Iran Air employs 12,000
personnel, including 1446 cockpit and cabin crew, 1540 engineering, 1000
commercial, and the remainder in airport services and other activities.
Back
|
|
