Air TransportIran Air retires last Airbus A300B4 from passenger operations
Iran Air has withdrawn its last Airbus A300B4 from passenger service, marking the end of an era for the oldest passenger aircraft type produced by Airbus still in commercial operation.
The jet, registered EP-IBG, completed its final commercial flight on June 12, operating from Jeddah to Isfahan, according to reports.
The A300B4’s retirement concludes a 41-year operational history for the variant in passenger service worldwide. Iran Air’s continued use of the type was largely due to Western sanctions, which have restricted the airline’s ability to acquire new aircraft and forced it to rely on older models.
The widebody was originally manufactured in 1986 for Luxair, but after the airline declined delivery, the aircraft operated with several carriers including KarAir, Finnair, Caledonian Airways, and Turkish Airlines before joining Iran Air’s fleet via lease from ACT Airlines in June 2006.
The A300B4 model offered greater range than its predecessor, the B2, addressing one of the early widebody’s main limitations. While Iran Air has retired the A300B4, four A300-600R aircraft, all over 30 years old, remain in service with the airline.
Sanctions and fleet renewal challenges
Iran Air’s fleet is among the oldest globally, a result of long-standing restrictions that limit direct purchases of newer aircraft. To navigate these obstacles, the airline has acquired used jets through complex transactions intended to circumvent sanctions. Despite the retirement of the last A300B4 in passenger service, the variant continues to see use as a freighter in other markets.
With the removal of the A300B4 from passenger duties, Iran Air’s reliance on aging widebodies persists. Unless current sanctions are lifted or alternative procurement channels are found, the airline is expected to continue operating older aircraft types for the foreseeable future.
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