(19 Nov 2014) LEAD-IN:
Iran's struggling aviation industry has started to enjoy a revival following the easing of sanctions against it - that's according to the Iranian Aviation Industries Organisation.
At this year's Kish Air show, the focus has switched from exhibition only to concentrate on investment from international markets.
STORYLINE:
This year marks the 7th Kish Air Show in Iran where aviation manufacturers and designers can showcase their latest products.
The country's cash-strapped and aging aviation industry has been compromised by international sanctions, but official data given at the exhibition notes that the value of Iran's exports in airspace and relevant fields so far have amounted to 100 million USD in the year beginning March 21, 2014.
Highlights of the show are an Iranian made rescue and training helicopter and a domestic drone for military reconnaissance purposes. Both are part of Iran's increased efforts to play a role in the international market.
The drone is called Ababil-3, or Swallow-3, which is able to fly for eight hours non-stop with a range of 250 kilometres (about 155 miles) and altitude of 12-thousand feet according to Iran's armed forces and drone industry technicians.
"Today most of our products have a great potential for export. We have some fully indigenous products such as our helicopters that have very good potential to be exported. Our drones are also the same regarding export quality. In avionics systems and plane parts we do have remarkable possibilities. However, the shadow of sanctions has been over this industry for many years, but it has managed to pull itself together," says Sourena Sattari, the Iranian Vice-President for Science and Technology.
The history of Iranian air transportation and airline industry goes back to 1923. The first aircrafts were acquired by the then government from Germany and deployed for the newly established Iranian Air force.
Iran and the US cut all diplomatic and economic ties following the takeover of American embassy in Tehran in 1979 and tensions between the two countries escalated. In 1995 international aviation companies were banned by the US from selling aircraft and repair parts to Iranian airlines for fear that they may be used for military purposes.
Over the past 20 years, the embargo has made Iranian airlines one of the oldest fleets in the world, which has been hit with a series of deadly crashes.
A report released in 2005 by the International Civil Aviation Organisation stated that the US sanctions had endangered the safety of civil aviation in Iran and that since aviation safety affects human rights and human lives it should stand above political differences.
Under the grip of sanctions, Iran has turned to Russian or Ukrainian manufacturers to attempted to kick start its commercial aviation industry.
The licenses for spare parts were made possible under a temporary nuclear deal struck November 2013 between Iran and six world powers. Under it, Tehran is to halt some aspects of its nuclear programme in return for the lifting of some sanctions - including restrictions on sale of commercial plane parts and services to Iran.
American aircraft-manufacturing giant Boeing has also ended a 35-year break in business with Iran, supplying the country's national flag carrier with a cargo of aircraft-related items.
Iran's Civil Aviation Organisation estimates that the country will need at least 100 new aircrafts for its fleet.
Alireza Jahangirian is the Deputy Minister of Roads and Urban Development Minister and Iran's Civil Aviation Chief.

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