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Iran is planning to revamp its ageing commercial aircraft fleet by placing big orders with manufacturers, including Airbus and Boeing.

The Middle Eastern country is looking to buy 160 aircraft from European manufacturers and is likely to close an order with Airbus for 127 jets, including eight A380 superjumbos.

Though Airbus is yet to confirm, the order book might include the A320 single-aisle A330, 16 A350 long-range jets, and used A340 long-haul planes.

A formal announcement of the deal is expected to be made this week when Iranian president Hassan Rouhani is scheduled to visit Paris. The deliveries will begin in 2019.

"Iran seeks to expand its fleet from 150 to 500 aircraft, as Western countries lifted economic sanctions following a nuclear pact."

Iran seeks to expand its fleet from 150 to 500 aircraft, as Western countries lifted economic sanctions following a nuclear pact.

The European Union placed restrictions on flying Iranian jets in its skies due to safety concerns as the average age of aircraft is 25 years.

The country organised the CAPA Iran Aviation Summit, a major business event after the lifting of sanctions.

The Gulf nation is also buying 40 turboprop aircraft from ATR, and is said to be in talks with Canada’s Bombardier and Japan’s Mitsubishi, while airline operators are considering Brazil’s Embraer and Russia’s Sukhoi, reported Reuters.

Boeing could be another established company to benefit from the new orders as Iran plans to buy 100 aircraft from the company.

The company said there are ‘many steps’ before it decides to sell aircraft to Iran, as it is bound by US trade sanctions on Iran.

Image: Iran’s order with Airbus will include eight A380 superjumbos. Photo: courtesy of Master Films / P Pigeyre / Airbus.