N1120A From United States of America, joined Dec 2003, 25852 posts, RR: 79 Reply 4, posted (5 years 3 months 1 day 1 hour ago) and read 4120 times:
Since the Shah's official stance was one of non-recognition, this extended to Iran Air flights. On the other hand, charters were common, much like the ones that currently go from MIA to HAV.
Mangeons les French fries, mais surtout pratiquons avec fierte le French kiss
EL AL flew to Teheran for many years. At one time Iran was about the only Muslim country that recognized the State of Israel. In fact, Teheran was one of the most profitable routes for EL AL for several reasons: The Jewish community in Iran was quite large; trade between Iran and Israel was very strong to the point that EL AL Cargo had several weekly cheduled 747 flights per week to Teheran. Sales were so strong for EL AL in this market that just to cope with the demand, EL AL employed 20 employees in its Teheran sales office.
At one point, EL AL flew a very strange route to Iran, the very circuitous Tel Aviv - Teheran - Nairobi - Johannesburg route. The flight was flown via Iranian airspace because most countries in Africa had closed their airspace to Israeli aircraft. Nonetheless, despite the fact that EL AL had to achieve an 80% load factor to just break even, the route was successful. EL AL flew to Teheran even two weeks after the Shah Ayatollah Khomeini arrived to take power in Iran. EL AL evacuated not only most of the Jewish-Iranian population, many native Persians fled the country by purchasing tickets on EL AL's last remaining 747 operated flights which operated up to thrice daily during the last few weeks before the station was closed down. EL AL's offices were soon burned down after that and its assets at the airport that were left behind were donated to anti-Israeli airlines of some Middle-Eastern countries.
Analog From United States of America, joined Jul 2006, 1900 posts, RR: 1 Reply 6, posted (5 years 3 months 21 hours ago) and read 3898 times:
Quoting Latinplane (Reply 5): EL AL's offices were soon burned down after that and its assets at the airport that were left behind were donated to anti-Israeli airlines of some Middle-Eastern countries.
Viscount724 From Switzerland, joined Oct 2006, 21483 posts, RR: 24 Reply 7, posted (5 years 3 months 21 hours ago) and read 3890 times:
Quoting Latinplane (Reply 5): EL AL flew to Teheran for many years. At one time Iran was about the only Muslim country that recognized the State of Israel. In fact, Teheran was one of the most profitable routes for EL AL for several reasons: The Jewish community in Iran was quite large; trade between Iran and Israel was very strong
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