www.tehrantimes.com Head of Iran Air Office here Ali Alikhani said in an interview with IRNA Monday that Spain has decided to issue group visas for Iranian tourists.
Alikhani added, "Issuing such visas would be a significant step toward making easier the exchange of tourists between the two countries."
He reiterated, "In order to take the Iranian tourists to Spain and carry them back to the country, Iran Air intends to resume its direct flights to Madrid in near future."
He expressed hope that with implementation of that decision on the part of the Spanish Government the number of both countries' tourists would rise noticeably.
Alikhani, who is simultaneously the head of Iran Air offices in Madrid and Paris, ruled out that the country is faced with a shortage in its air fleet for resuming Iran Air's direct flights to Spain. He said, "The main issue is being economically justifiable of these flights, and with the implementation of this recent visa agreement it is hoped that that objective would be met."
The Iran Air official meanwhile spoke of the need for Iran's more dynamic presence at Spain's tourism industry that is the world's second tourism pole in the world from the viewpoint of attracting tourists and sending them to other tourism spots around the globe. He added, "In order to meet that objective Iran Air is determined to cooperate closely with Spain's national airways, Iberia."
Elsewhere in his comments, Alikhani evaluated the Islamic Republic of Iran's presence at Spain's 2006 FITUR Exhibition "very weak", arguing, "Such a presence was not appropriate for a country as ancient as Iran with our huge tourism attraction."
The 2006 FITUR Exhibition that had started its activities with the presence of 12,000 firms from 170 countries in Madrid last Wednesday was wrapped up on Sunday night.
Unlike the previous years, Iran had not participated at this year's internationally renowned tourism exhibition of Spain and only Iran Air and Iran-Sara companies that are involved in tourism activities in Spain were the only firms representing Iran at 2006 FITUR Exhibition.
Iran says Tehran-Madrid flights to re-open soon
Direct flights between Tehran and Madrid will resume in the near future, an official from Iran Air said here Monday.
Tehran-Madrid direct flights were suspended last year as the route was not financially profitable and the number of planes was insufficient.
Tehran-Madrid flights will be re-opened with direct charter flight services that will later be converted into regular weekly flights, planning director Alviri added.
He noted that Iran and Spain have devised a joint plan to facilitate visa issuances for tourists timed with the reopening of direct flights between Iran and Spain.
Alviri was in Madrid to attend FITUR 2006 which ended Sunday. |