It’s been four years since a British airline has offered direct flights to Iran. During that period, only Iran Air has offered direct flights, as sanctions, travel warnings and poor relations have kept foreigners and investors away from the Islamic Republic. Unfortunately, Iran Air's London services are limited due to restrictions on the airline using European airspace, so most British tourists en route to Iran have taken indirect flights, often via Istanbul.
The good news is that, following the lifting of sanctions and the improvement in relations between the two countries, British Airways will resume direct flights to Iran on 14th July, six times per week, from Heathrow Terminal 5. The flights will become daily from winter 2016.
Willie Walsh, British Airways’ chief executive, hinted that the London-Tehran route would return last month, telling a conference that the company was "actively looking" at services and hoped Iran would form part of its flight network, in "the very near future".
This has been confirmed by Neil Cottrell, British Airways' head of network planning, who said that Iran is a "large and growing economy" and that it had "exciting new prospects" as a tourist destination.
The airline suspended flights in October 2012 when British Midland International (BMI) became part of British Airways and the route became "no longer commercially viable", according to a BA spokesperson.
At that time, tensions between Iran and the UK were high, following the violent storming of the British Embassy in Tehran in 2011 and the subsequent severing of diplomatic relations. Iran has been playing catch up with its tourism and travel infrastructure since a deal on their nuclear programme was signed with Western powers last July. The UK and Iran re-opened embassies in each other’s capitals shortly afterwards.
Middle Eastern operators such as the low-cost carrier flydubai have launched multiple routes from the UAE into Iran, while Accor Hotels has opened two hotels in the country.
British tour operators have seen a significant increase in demand for holidays to Iran since the Foreign Office removed its advice against visiting the country last year. While many countries in the Middle East remain off-limits to ordinary travellers, the relaxed stance towards Iran means foreign visitors can appreciate its dazzling mosques, 19 Unesco World Heritage Sites and dramatic mountain scenery.
Image Credit: kertsocks
Iran's two major mountain ranges, the Zagros and the Alborz, offer terrific hiking opportunities.
Iranians are also benefiting from its bolstered tourism industry, with local tour companies, small hotels and jobs as guides offering employment. However, restrictions on Britons wishing to visit Iran remain. New US government rules mean that people who have been to Iran in the past five years are not allowed to use its visa waiver scheme, forcing them to pay $160 and endure an appointment at the US Embassy in London to apply for a tourist visa. Also, Britons are not currently allowed to travel independently in Iran. They must be accompanied by a guide at all times. Women must wear the hijab, the Islamic headscarf, and alcohol is not available in restaurants, cafes or hotels.
Image Credit: Richard Weil
Chogha Zanbil is an ancient Elamite complex in Iran, and is one of the country's spectacular ancient sites.
Return fares on the new London-Tehran service - operated by Boeing 777s - are from £384 in economy, £728 in premium economy, £2,163 for Business and £3763 for First class.
Title Image Credit: xiquinhosilva (Image Cropped)