Payam Airport Granted Air Taxi License Amidst Expansion of Pilot Training

Mehdi Sheikh al-Islami, the Director General of Payam Airport Operations, announced significant milestones for the airport, highlighting that it currently hosts the nation’s largest pilot school. Payam Airport facilitates 100 to 150 training flights daily, accounting for over 80% of pilot training in Iran.

Speaking with Tasnim News Agency, Sheikh al-Islami detailed Payam Airport’s foundational philosophy centered around air cargo entry into the country. Established in 1995, the airport initially focused on importing telecommunications mail and now boasts robust infrastructure capable of handling wide-body aircraft for commercial goods imports, predominantly from neighboring nations.

“The airport’s transition from telecommunication to commercial cargo imports has positioned it as a key economic driver,” Sheikh al-Islami explained. Establishing the Payam Special Economic Zone has attracted industrial and knowledge-based companies in the IT and ICT sectors, becoming the sole economic zone in Iran with an international airport.

Expanding on the airport’s capabilities, he stated, “Payam International Airport has evolved to accommodate passenger flights for several years, and following the successful facilitation of international flights during the Arbaeen pilgrimage, we’re scaling up operations. We now cater to many imports, especially essential goods, from Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan.”

The Director General underscored the airport’s specialization in air cargo with suitable equipment and infrastructure to accept all aircraft types in this sector. He noted the growing interest from foreign airlines in establishing flights to Payam, given its standard-compliant facilities and the existing fleet, primarily MD aircraft with a capacity of 160 passengers.

During the recent Arbaeen, Payam Airport demonstrated its capacity to handle concurrent flights, transporting nearly 4,500 passengers and indicating readiness to manage ten flights daily.

Payam Airport also houses ultra-light aircraft, defined by weights below 500 kg, with some of the most advanced features, such as autopilot systems and the capability for continuous flights up to 450 kilometers per hour.

On air taxis, Sheikh al-Islami revealed, “Fortunately, with an improved security environment in the country, we have issued licenses for air taxi services, a first in Iran. These services will connect Payam Airport with proximate cities, especially in the north, enhancing regional connectivity.”

In conclusion, while international taxi flights remain unlicensed, Payam Airport’s recent air taxi license is a leap forward in domestic air transportation services.

Source: TIN News