Iranian MPs try to cancel flights from Kiev, citing Israeli owner
Members of Iran's parliament fail in attempt to end Kiev-Tehran route because one owner is Israeli citizen and could import 'Israeli interests'.
Iranian parliament members recently applied heavy pressure on Ukraine International Airlines, Ukraine’s largest air carrier, after discovering that one its owners has Israeli citizenship.
According to a Ch-aviation.com report, the Iranians suspected that the company and its allies “promote Israeli interests”.
According to the Islamic Republic News Agency, suspicions arose after the Iran Civil Aviation Organization gave the Ukrainian airline approval to operate flights between Borispyl International Airport near Kiev and Mehrabad International Airport near Tehran in early 2014.
Members of parliament protested the decision, arguing that one of the airline’s owners, Aron Mayberg, is an Israeli citizen who would allow Israeli interests to enter Iranian airspace. Despite the objections, the organization decided not to overturn the decision, as no evidence was presented connecting the airline to Israeli interests.
The company is headquartered at Borispyl Airport. It was founded in 1992, and connects destinations in Ukraine, Europe, Asia, the Middle East, and North America. The airline operates three daily flights in Israel on the Kiev-Tel Aviv route, and several weekly flights to Odessa and Dnipropetrovsk.
The news agencies contributed to this report.
