Flights to Tehran Friday, 22 January 2010 16:43 |

"Build and they shall come" Tehran's modern international airport named, the Imam Khomeini International Airport, after the leader of the revolution is attracting more and more international services despite the current problems with looming US sanctions. The airport was originally due to open in 2004 but operations in their current form began in April 2005 and passenger numbers have uncreased steadily ever since.

Tehran is a magnificent city and the great capital of an ancient country containing world renowned archaeological sites, fascinating museums, beautiful castles, majestic palaces, great forts and historical houses. Its a vibrant place with all the sounds, smells, sights and buzz you would expect from an old and modern Middle Eastern commercial centre.

Flights to Tehran

The newer International airport is the home of the National carrier, Iran Air, which also operates from the old airport at Mehrabad. From autumn 2007, all international flights, except some flying pilgrims to Mecca, use the new airport. Iranair operate extensively to European destinations including London Heathrow,Vienna, Copenhagen, Paris,Bonn, Frankfurt, Hamburg, Milan, Rome, Amsterdam, Moscow, Gothenburg, Stockholm, Geneva, Ankara and Istanbul.

Further afield the IranAir fleet reaches as far as Bangkok and Beijing. The other based airline is the privately owned Mahan Air, which whilst also proving flights to Tehran has built a successful business by providing connecting flights from European cities such as Birmingham (UK) through Tehran to Amritsar in Punjab, India. Flights by foreign carriers into Tehran are growing. For example in January 2010, Pegasus airlines of Turkey started new flights from Istanbul, whilst Lufthansa of Germany announced a new four times per week two class, scheduled service from Munich.

Other airlines with established operations into Tehran include bmi, from the UK; Aeroflot of Russia, Austrian Airlines, Alitalia, and Air France. From the Gulf, GulfAir, Emirates and Qatar Airways all have flights. Longer haul carriers stretch from Conviasa of political allies, Venezuala to China Southern based in Guangzhou Iran has an enormous variety of natural habitats including forests, parched deserts, snow capped mountains, fantastic beaches on the Caspian Sea and the enigmatic Persian Gulf., With more airlines, more flights and easier access comes lower flight prices and more visitors. Iran is a country where real travellers will enjoy the fascination of real travel.

The people are the undiscovered treasures of the country but the spectacular natural sights come a close second. Iran will continue to grow as a tourist destination for those who want to do more than sit on a beach and where the rewards of travel aren't a suntan and hangover but a lasting memory of a unique country and vibrant culture.