By Michael Eboh With Agency Report

Iranian airlines are owing National Iranian Oil Products Distribution Company, NIOPDC, about $467 million for fuel, said Mostafa Kashkouli, Managing Director, NIOPDC.

According to him, Aseman, Mahan, and Homa airlines are the largest debtors to the NIOPDC.
He said Aseman Airlines Company is the main debtor with some $100 million in debts for the use of fuel.

Also speaking, Alirza Zeighami, Chief Executive Officer, National Iranian Oil Refining and Distribution Company, said in February, representatives of the Aseman Company not only did not pay their debts, but also refused to attend meetings regarding these financial problems.

According to him, if in the near future these debts are not paid, the competitive authorities will be handling this issue.
Other companies that were mentioned by Zeighami – Mahan and Iran Air also have debts, yet he did not disclose any details.

Fars News agency quoted the head of the Association of Iranian Airlines, Abdolreza Mousavi on Feb. 25 as saying that Iranian airlines are unable to pay off their fuel debts to the Oil Ministry due to their bad financial position.

Many of the national fleet planes have been grounded due to financial problems, he said, adding that spare parts and components are purchased from second-hand sources with great difficulty.