DUSHANBE, August 30, Asia-Plus -- Tajikistan and Iran are supposed to set up a joint private air company.

Mirzo Mastongulov, director general of “Somon Air”, a private airline in Tajikistan, has told Asia-Plus that representatives from “Mahan Air”, Iran’s private airline, will arrive in Tajikistan on September 1 to discuss issues related to the establishment of a joint air company and sign a cooperation agreement.   

“We plan it will be a joint-stock company, and “Mahan Air” will provide its planes for operating flights,” said Mr. Mastongulov, “We plan to discuss a broad range of issues, including laying legal foundation for establishing the company and getting license for operating flights.” 

The “Somon Air” top manager has also noted that the new air company will operate flights from all Tajikistan’s largest airports.  “Practically everything is ready to start work, including air crews and air specialists,” Mirzo Mastongulov stressed, noting that the new air carrier will operate flights on only western type airplanes.  “In future, “Somon Air” will consider the possibility of leasing two airplanes from “Mahan Air”,” said the Asia-Plus interlocutor, “One of them will be most likely “Airbus-310.” 

At first, the new air carrier plans to operate flights to Iran, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Afghanistan, and probably to the Russian cities.