Res Communis

Iran upset over EU refusal to refuel its airplanes

by Sara M. Langston with the blog faculty

Source: Space Mart

Iran has filed a grievance with the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) over several EU countries’ refusal to refuel its airliners, a spokesman for the UN agency said Monday.

ICAO president Roberto Kobeh outlined the complaints in a letter to the European countries in question on November 26, ICAO spokesman Denis Chagnon told AFP.

At least five nations — Britain, Germany, Denmark, Switzerland and the Netherlands — suspended refuelling of Iranair jetliners some weeks ago, according to Iranian media.

The decision was taken in support of UN sanctions against Iran over its nuclear program, even though sanctions adopted by the European Union do not include such measures.

Chagnon denied Iran television reports that the ICAO has asked that Iranair refuelling be resumed immediately.

“This is an issue that must be resolved by the ICAO member states themselves. In other words, Iran must secure agreements from the various parties to refuel its jetliners,” he said.

The ICAO has asked the EU countries to supply it with any additional information in the case, he added. So far, none has been forthcoming.