Stranded Norwegian Air Boeing Finally Leaves Iran

EghtesadOnline: A Boeing commercial airliner that belongs to budget carrier Norwegian Air and was stranded in Iran after an emergency landing in December, landed at Stockholm's Arlanda Airport early Saturday, Bloomberg reported citing a company statement.

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24 February 2019

The plane, a 737 MAX model, took off from Dubai on Dec. 14 bound for Oslo but had to land in Shiraz in Iran because of problems with one of its engines. It had stayed there since, tied by delays in receiving a new engine caused by the reimposition of US sanctions, Reuters reported.

Spare parts were needed by its manufacturer Boeing, but because of US sanctions reinstated by the administration of US President Donald Trump, civilian aircraft sales, including servicing and parts, are prohibited in Iran.

“Norwegian’s Boeing 737 MAX has taken off from Shiraz Airport in Iran and will land at Stockholm Arlanda Airport early Saturday morning. After two months in Iran, it’s a big relief to finally get the aircraft back home,” airline spokeswoman, Astrid Mannion-Gibson, said in an email, according to Financial Tribune.

The US Embassy in Oslo was not available for comment. Boeing was also not immediately available when contacted.

Norwegian had said on Wednesday that it was in the process of having a new engine flown to Iran, but the spokeswoman did not elaborate further on Friday.

Any product that contains more than 10% of US-origin goods or technology require a US license to be sent to Iran.

Norwegian Air has previously said that the paperwork needed to service the plane had taken longer than usual, partly because the company had to familiarize itself with regulations in Iran, where the firm does not operate.

The 186 passengers and six crew that were onboard on Dec. 14 were able to fly out of Shiraz the next day.