Iran National Airlines Corp.

Iran Air's safety record is influenced by various factors, most notably international sanctions that have restricted access to new aircraft and spare parts, leading to an aging fleet. The average age of Iran Air's fleet was 25.6 years old as of May 2023.

Iran Air is subject to operational restrictions by the European Union. As of June 2025, Iran Air is on the EU Air Safety List, meaning it can only fly to the EU with specific aircraft types due to identified safety concerns. This is distinct from a full operating ban that applies to other airlines with more severe safety deficiencies. International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) audits in the past have indicated that Iranian carriers have faced challenges in meeting ICAO aviation safety and maintenance standards due to being denied access to updated aircraft and spare parts.

Recent safety incidents involving Iran Air aircraft include a Fokker 100 experiencing a lightning strike, electrical problems, and loss of cabin pressure near Tabriz in May 2024, and an Airbus A300-600 having smoke in the cockpit and cabin at Tabriz in October 2023. In June 2022, an Airbus A310-300 flight from Istanbul to Tehran experienced turbulence that injured two passengers. A hijack attempt on an Iran Air Fokker 100 flight from Ahwaz to Mashad was averted in March 2021. These incidents highlight the ongoing operational challenges.

Despite the challenges posed by sanctions and an older fleet, there have been recent efforts and achievements in Iran's aviation sector regarding safety technology. In October 2025, Iran reportedly ranked among the world's top five leaders in flight safety technology, following the international registration of two domestically developed Flight Safety Management System (FSMS) software platforms with the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO). These systems are designed to enhance intelligent flight safety monitoring, risk analysis, quality auditing, and human error management, aligning with ICAO Annex 19 requirements. However, this is a national achievement in safety technology and not a direct safety award or recognition for Iran Air specifically. There is no specific mention of Iran Air receiving individual safety awards or recognitions in the provided information.