Azman Air investigated over alleged aircraft transfer to Iranian airline

Azman Air, a domestic airline in Nigeria, is under investigation for allegedly transferring two Nigerian-registered aircraft to Iran’s Mahan Air in violation of international sanctions.

The Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has disclosed plans to contact its Iranian counterpart, the Civil Aviation Authority of the Islamic Republic of Iran (CAA.IRI), to clarify the status of the aircraft in question. The planes involved are an Airbus A340-600 with registration number 5N-AAM and a Boeing 737-300 with registration number 5N-YSM, reportedly sold without the NCAA’s knowledge.

Both aircraft are allegedly now located in Iran, with the Airbus A340-600 at Tehran Imam Khomeini International Airport (IKA) and the Boeing 737-300 at Tehran’s Mehrabad International Airport (THR).

A report by the Middle East Forum revealed that Mahan Air, Iran’s largest airline, received the Airbus A340-642 aircraft on November 15, 2024, via Azman Air. The report alleged that during the flight from Kano to Kabul, the aircraft’s crew deactivated the Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast (ADS-B) transponder upon entering Iranian airspace, later landing at Mehrabad International Airport.

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The United States and European Union have imposed strict sanctions on Iran, prohibiting transactions involving aircraft with the country. “The U.S. Treasury Department has sanctioned both the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps and many Iranian officials due to their support for terrorism,” the report stated. “However, since the Biden administration took office in 2021, the Iranian regime has implemented measures to circumvent these sanctions.”

Responding to the situation, NCAA Director of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection, Michael Achimugu, confirmed the regulatory body’s plan to seek clarification from the Iranian CAA regarding the aircraft’s status.

Azman Air has yet to respond to the allegations as attempts to reach the airline’s chairman, Alhaji Abdulmunaf Sarina, were unsuccessful, as calls went unanswered and text messages received no reply.

The airline has faced operational challenges in recent years. Azman Air suspended operations in March 2023, furloughing its entire staff. Although operations resumed briefly in 2024, reports in August indicated another suspension.

In its heyday, the airline operated a fleet of seven Boeing 737 aircraft. However, the number dwindled to four before its latest operational challenges.

Alhaji Sarina dismissed claims of an indefinite suspension, stating, “We are currently finalising the maintenance of two of our aircraft, and we anticipate resuming our full flight operations very soon.”

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