Tehran's IKIA Airport to Operate Domestic Flights

"Passengers will have more options to choose from once some of the domestic flights are transferred to IKIA," Managing Director of Imam Khomeini Airport City Ali Rostami was quoted as saying by IRIB News.

The measure is expected to considerably reduce traffic at Tehran's International Mehrabad Airport, which currently operates domestic flights from the capital city.

According to the official, no particular route has been considered for a permanent relocation to IKIA and the number of flights will be determined by market demand, Financial Tribune reported.

The construction of Salaam Terminal is now 98% complete and the terminal is expected to become operational in the near future. The terminal has the capacity to transport five million passengers per year.

Plans are underway to build another terminal at IKIA airport. 

Iranshahr Terminal’s first phase has been designed to handle 25 million passengers per year and will reach 110 million passengers annually upon the completion of its third and final phases.

IKIA presently has an annual passenger capacity of around five million. However, in the fiscal 2017-18, the airport hosted over nine million passengers.

Imam Khomeini International Airport registered 47,446 takeoffs and landings in the last fiscal year that ended March 20, 2019, to register a 19% decline.

More than 7.27 million passengers and around 141,704 tons of cargos were transported from the airport during the period, taking its rank to third on the list of Iran’s busiest airports. The figures show a 19% and 14% decline YOY.

Tehran’s Mehrabad International Airport was the busiest Iranian airport last year with 126,030 takeoffs and landings, registering a 12% fall YOY.

More than 14.82 million passengers as well as 102.949 tons of cargo were handled at this airport, which indicate a 15% decline YOY.

IKIA has the biggest share of international flights operated in Iran and Mehrabad the biggest in terms of domestic ones.

Imam Khomeini International Airport has been distinguished as the third fastest-growing major airport in the world. 

A study by Routes Online shows the airport grew in terms of passenger numbers by 48.6% during the first half of 2018 to 3.93 million, helped by Ata Airlines, following the rise in frequencies to Istanbul Ataturk.

Operated by Iran Airports Company, IKIA is located 30 kilometers southwest of Iran's capital city Tehran.