27 Iranian airports damaged in US-Israeli aggression, official says

During a press conference, the CEO of Iran's Airports and Air Navigation Company, Morteza Dehqan, revealed that 27 Iranian airports sustained damage during the recent US-Israeli aggression. He identified the affected areas as aircraft operating surfaces, runways, taxiways, aircraft parking areas, safety and firefighting buildings, navigational aids, and passenger terminals. Various Iranian outlets reported his remarks on Monday.

Despite the extent of the damage, Dehqan emphasized that the immediate resumption of services was necessary. He stated that the Ministry of Roads and Urban Development and the government had prioritized the swift restoration of air-transport services, and the effort was successfully completed. The company's first priority was safety, covering both aircraft operating surfaces and air-navigation and air-traffic-control systems.

Dehqan highlighted the importance of air transport in reviving the country's economy, saying, "If different sectors of the country's economy are to resume normal activities, air transport and airports can serve as the driving force behind this process." He explained that aircraft operating surfaces were prepared for takeoffs and landings, while reconstruction of navigation and navigational-aid systems began simultaneously.

The company initially relied on its own air-navigation specialists, who used existing equipment, including systems damaged during the war, and worked to restore them to operational condition. "Flights are impossible without airport and air-navigation infrastructure. Therefore, the reconstruction of airports and navigation systems was placed on the agenda simultaneously," he said.

Later, the company brought domestic capabilities and knowledge-based firms into the reconstruction effort. Dehqan stated that these companies had previously developed the capacity to supply systems, equipment, and technologies needed by the air-transport sector. According to Mehr News Agency, the report was published on Monday.