Pourfarzaneh made the announcement on Saturday, emphasizing that following the successful launch of the domestically produced Simorgh cargo plane, Iran is now prepared to enter the phase of manufacturing passenger aircraft to connect the nation’s smaller airports.
Detailing the design, construction, and testing process of the Simorgh, he noted that the aviation industry is a key focus under the Seventh Development Plan, which prioritizes industrial advancement.
He identified four main pillars of the aviation sector that require development: the fleet, airports, support industries, and human resources. These, he stressed, must evolve alongside the indigenous production of aircraft.
Referring to the IrAn-140, a past Iranian-Ukrainian joint project, Pourfarzaneh said it was one of the earlier steps in civilian aircraft production. However, current efforts now rely primarily on domestic expertise.
“Thanks to the presence of distinguished experts, Iran ranks among the world’s leading countries in the aerospace industry—both military and civilian. The design and construction of the Simorgh cargo aircraft is a testament to these efforts,” he added.
The CAA chief said that Simorgh has successfully completed factory testing and recently received its flight permit. It will continue to undergo upgrades to obtain a “Type Certificate,” paving the way for commercial production.
“The production of passenger aircraft is part of our future plans,” he said, adding that Iran’s vast geography and numerous small airports make it essential to develop short-range aircraft to improve regional connectivity.
