Iran’s Roads and Urban Development Ministry (MRUD) plans to develop seven new international airports around Tehran that could accommodate up to 400 aircraft units.

The country’s largest international airport, Imam Khomeini International airport (IKIA), lies some 30 kilometres southwest of the capital Tehran, where the country’s busiest airport, Mehrabad International, is located.

Local media cited MRUD head Abbas Akhoundi discussing the new airport plans on 5 October.

News arising from Iran in August also cited that the Civil Aviation Organisation (CAO) is considering projects to redevelop two existing airports in Mashhad, located northeast of the country, and Shiraz in the southern Fars region.

In addition to developing its airports infrastructure to address overcapacity and rising demand, Iran has openly asserted its urgent need to revamp its ageing air fleet. It is understood the country needs between 400 and 500 aircraft units over the next five to 10 years to compensate for decades-long sanctions that severely limited access to new aircraft, parts, technologies and services.

Overall passenger movement growth in Iranian airports have been growing at a compunded average rate of 6 per cent annually since 2008.

The Islamic Republic’s plans to build new and expand existing airports, and acquire up to 90 new commercial aircraft annually require multibillion-dollar funding for which potential sources remain unclear.