Saudia Group distances itself from batch of 777-200ERs apparently transferred to Iran

Saudia Group is distancing itself from claims that it supplied Boeing 777-200ER aircraft to Iran, stressing it has had “no relationship” with the jets since their sale. The Middle Eastern carrier says the twinjets it previously owned were sold in June 2023 to an entity registered “outside of the kingdom of Saudi Arabia,” following “applicable commercial and legal procedures.” Saudia said that after the transaction it has had no operational or commercial involvement with the aircraft, and it referred to media “allegations” that the planes were later transferred to a sanctioned entity, without identifying it or the number of aircraft involved. Aviation journalist Babak Taghvaee, citing sources inside Iran’s Civil Aviation Organisation, claimed two aircraft went to Tehran’s Mehrabad airport and three more were delivered, intended for use by Mahan Air, which faces international sanctions. Taghvaee later published photos showing some jets parked in southern Iran with Saudi Arabian Airlines livery removed.