TEHRAN (Iran News) In an interview with ILNA, Ramin Kashaf-Azar, the acting CEO of Imam Khomeini Airport City, discussed the future of the airport’s expansion plan. He said both terminal and airside infrastructure must be upgraded. Although studies for the airport’s second development phase were completed in previous years and some preliminary work has begun, he noted that the continuation of the project requires a fresh evaluation.

Kashaf-Azar stated that the investment required for the new terminal—regardless of the financing method—will “certainly exceed $2 billion,” describing the project as a critical national necessity.

He emphasized that Iran seeks to establish Imam Khomeini Airport as a regional transit hub, a strategic priority that will require significant investment:

“Our aim is for this airport to play a major transit role. Transit policy is extremely important for our country, and achieving this goal demands high levels of investment.”

Kashaf-Azar added that the expansion effort must go beyond simply constructing a new terminal. Operational capacity, he said, must grow simultaneously with physical development to ensure the airport can effectively handle increased traffic.

He stressed that increasing the number of international airlines operating in Iran—particularly at Imam Khomeini Airport—is essential for enabling the country’s air network to function as a transit system. “We must increase Iran’s share of the regional air transit market and reclaim the share that neighboring countries currently hold,” he said.

Regarding the financing of the required $2 billion, Kashaf-Azar explained that a variety of global models exist for funding major airport projects. He pointed to public-private partnership (PPP) schemes as a successful example worldwide, where development companies, financiers, operators, and builders all participate. Some funding for the project has already been secured, he noted, though its status must be reviewed. Regardless of any changes in financing strategy, he said, “the essential objective is the expansion of Imam Khomeini Airport.”

The acting CEO reiterated the necessity of a new terminal, but stressed that development alone is not enough. The critical question, he said, is how to attract more international carriers so airport operations can grow.

Kashaf-Azar also mentioned the potential benefits of securing Fifth Freedom traffic rights, which allow foreign airlines to pick up passengers in Iran en route to a third country. “If we can make effective use of Fifth Freedom rights, we will be far more hopeful about bringing multiple international airlines into the market,” he said. Creating favorable conditions for foreign carriers is essential, he added, noting that some steps have already been taken while others depend on broader external factors.

However, within the airport’s own operational environment, Kashaf-Azar said the main priority is clear:

“Our first priority is attracting foreign airlines—the same strategy Turkey used. Turkey expanded its airports only after it succeeded in bringing in many international carriers. We must follow that path.”

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TEHRAN (Iran News) Speaking at a press conference, Saeed Chalandari told IRNA that one of the mandates of the Ministry of Roads and Urban Development under Iran’s Seventh Development Plan is the transfer of airport operations to the private sector.

“Although Imam Khomeini Airport City is a major project with extensive ongoing activities, and full privatization may not be feasible, we are committed to incorporating as much private sector involvement as possible,” he said.

Chalandari emphasized that the government does not wish to act as the main operator. “Even in Phase 2 of the airport’s expansion, the Minister of Roads and Urban Development has stressed minimizing reliance on public funds and instead leveraging private sector resources,” he added.

Chalandari stated that there is no need for foreign investment in the country’s airports, as numerous capable domestic investors are ready to engage. “It is up to us in the public sector to create the right conditions and incentives to keep the private sector motivated to invest,” he noted.

Answering another question, the CEO said that the runways for Phase 2 of Imam Khomeini Airport are expected to become operational within the first half of the Iranian year 1405 (March–September 2026), requiring an estimated $300 million in funding. This amount is to be sourced through a special permit granted by the Supreme Leader.

He also acknowledged some previous issues in the allocation of funds for Phase 2, but noted that a new agreement, facilitated by the Minister and the Planning Department of the Ministry, has paved the way for the gradual release of resources to accelerate progress.

On the last day of May this year, a $300 million public-private partnership agreement was signed between Imam Khomeini Airport City Company and a private investor for the construction of a multimodal cargo terminal and logistics center in the southern aviation zone.

Highlighting the company’s achievements, Chalandari noted that since 2022, the 54,000-square-meter Salam Terminal has been dedicated to pilgrimage flights. “The terminal offers facilities that meet modern global standards,” he said.

Last year during the Arbaeen pilgrimage period, up to 140 religious flights departed daily from the Salam Terminal. A similar volume is expected this year, despite high temperatures and regional challenges.

Chalandari added that 1,800 flights were operated during the Arbaeen period last year and a comparable number is forecast this year.

He also mentioned that the Salam Terminal has parking capacity for 16,000 vehicles, which will be offered free of charge during Arbaeen. Other services for pilgrims will also be provided at no cost.

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IRAN NEWS ECONOMIC DESK

TEHRAN – The CEO of Imam Khomeini Airport City (IKAC) says talks are underway with German and Austrian flag carriers Lufthansa and Austrian to resume their flights to Iran as soon as possible.

Speaking to IRNA, Mr. Mohammad Mahdi Karbalaei said that the number of flights to Imam Khomeini Airport (IKA) has tripled in recent months comparing to the early months of the current year and it is expected to grow more in upcoming months.

He said since the outbreak of the Coronavirus in Iran and the world, international travels and flights had almost been halted due to the closure of borders, and the number of flights declined significantly and most international flights in the world were almost closed.

He added that in late March and early April of this year and exactly one month after the outbreak of the virus in Iran, the number of arrival and departure flights in the Imam Khomeini Airport decreased by 95 percent but after some months and taking some measures, observing the health protocols and also the demand of the international community for trade ties, the number of flights gradually increased.

Karbalaei further said that according to the statistics, the number of flights has currently been tripled comparing to the early months of the year, admitting that the number of current flights accounts for 10 percent of flights before the pandemic broke out and it is still a long way to back to normal situation.

He admitted that the current issue of decline in flights is universal and it has had negative impact on the world air industry in a way that all major international airports in the world are currently facing with serious economic challenges and most of airlines are facing bankruptcy.

He said but the whole IKAC body as well as domestic and foreign airlines did cooperate to restore flights by observing all health protocols to avoid hurting passengers’ health.

On resumption of flights of foreign airlines to Iran, he said since the outbreak of the virus, talks with airlines have been underway several times in order to assure them of observance of health protocols at Imam Khomeini Airport, noting that currently Qatar Airways, Emirates, and Turkish Air have restored their flights to Imam Khomeini Airport and last week talks with officials of Germany’s Lufthansa and Austria’s Austrian airlines began for resumption of talks.

Karbalaei admitted that the economy of airport city has seriously affected by the virus, saying that city airport is administered through two ways of aviation and non-aviation revenues. He added that currently due to the global crisis in air industry, the city is working to develop its economic sector and focusing on the special economic zone of IKAC.

He said that attention to the surge in production and boom in the zone through offering services to investors, producers and traders as well as developing ways of commercial revenues are of the major programs of the city.

On the probable rise in the air ticket fare, he said that the company has currently no intention for increasing the price of services at the airport, and the current prices are the same.

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Iranian Minister of Roads and Urban Development Abbas Akhoundi and some of the country’s aviation officials attended the inauguration ceremony.

These projects include construction of an urban fire station, and an administrative office building for the security department, as well as developing the Terminal One section, the passenger apron and cargo apron and the event venue and etc.

During the past Iranian calendar year (which ended on March 20), Imam Khomeini Airport City Company signed investment deals worth 12 trillion rials (about $275 million) with the private sector for development of the IKAC.

Imam Khomeini International Airport, known as IKIA, is the main international airport of Iran, located 30 kilometers southwest of the city of Tehran.

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