Gregory Polek has spent his entire career in aviation journalism with AIN, starting as a proofreader and assistant to then-managing editor Mary Mahoney in 1995 after serving an internship with&nbsp;New Jersey Monthly&nbsp;magazine and completing his B.A. degree in English/Writing at New Jersey’s William Paterson College. By 1997 Polek accepted a position as an associate editor, covering the regional airline beat for&nbsp;Aviation International News&nbsp;in place of retiring industry veteran Don Anderson. The assignment took Polek across North America and Europe to profile regional airlines varying in size and mission from the likes of floatplane operators Kenmore Air and Chalk’s Ocean Airways to regional jet operators such as SkyWest and American Eagle. Today, in his dual role as Air Transport Editor and International Airshow Editor, Polek writes, edits, and manages AIN’s commercial aviation content while overseeing each of the company’s daily international air show publications in Paris, Farnborough, Singapore, and Dubai. Most recently Polek has assumed oversight of daily coverage of the Helicopter Association International’s annual Heli-Expo convention.

Senior Editor

Gregory Polek

[Story updated on April 13]


ATR on Thursday confirmed an announcement earlier in the week by Iran’s Ministry of Roads and Urban Development that Iran Air has closed on a $536 million contract calling for 20 new ATR 72-600s. While ATR would say only that deliveries will start "within the very next weeks," the Iranian ministry reported that the state owned airline will take the first four airplanes over the next 15 days. Plans call for delivery of nine more by the end of the year and the remaining seven next year, it added.


“Similar to contracts with Boeing and Airbus, this contract is financed and besides the aircraft, post-purchase services including engine maintenance are directly provided by ATR based on terms explicitly stated in the contract,” the ministry said in a written statement.&nbsp;


News of the €1 billion contract, which includes options on another 20 of the turboprops, comes more than a year after talks in Rome and Paris during the official visit to Europe of Iranian president Hassan Rohani yielded a <a href="https://www.ainonline.com/aviation-news/aerospace/2016-02-01/atr-airbus-help-open-commercial-floodgates-iran">preliminary deal</a>. At the time, ATR praised the Italian and French states for their role in the deal through the participation of their export credit agencies, respectively, Sace and Coface.


The agreements took place as part of the implementation of the JCPOA (Joint Comprehensive Plan Of Action) on January 16, 2016. Under that agreement, Iran has agreed to significantly curb its nuclear ambitions and allow the International Atomic Energy Agency regular access to its facilities for&nbsp;inspection.


Separately, Iranian deputy minister of international affairs Fakhrieh-Kashan confirmed with Iran’s official Mehr News Agency that the first Boeing 777-300ER ordered by IranAir will arrive in Tehran next month. A definitive agreement between Boeing and Iran Air announced last December calls for delivery of fifty 737 Max 8s, fifteen 777-300ERs and fifteen 777-9s valued at $16.6 billion at list prices. Still, questions persist over whether the new Treasury Department secretary appointed by the Trump Administration will exercise his right to amend, modify or revoke the license. While Trump remains critical of the 2015 nuclear settlement with Iran that allowed for the export of commercial aircraft to the Islamic Republic, he has also lauded Boeing for its role in creating U.S. jobs through the sale of its aircraft around the globe.


For its part, Airbus has already delivered three airplanes to Iran since it inked a firm order in December covering 46 single-aisle A320-family jets, 38 A330s and 16 A350s. <a href="https://www.ainonline.com/aviation-news/air-transport/2017-01-11/iran-air-takes-delivery-its-first-new-airbus">Iran Air took the first airplane on order</a>—a CFM56-powered A321—on January 11.


Export to Iran of any aircraft carrying 10 percent U.S. technology first requires a license from the U.S. Treasury Department’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC). &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;

News and developments about airplanes, helicopters and unmanned air vehicles used in all varieties of operations, including airlines, military, business, commercial, general aviation and private.

ATR, Iran Air Seal $536 Million Deal for 20 ATR 72-600s

Iranian officials report first four of the airplanes will arrive over the next 15 days

2024 Corporate Aviation Leadership Summit

Charles Alcock

News and issues relating to civil and military unmanned aircraft systems (UAS), unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) and remotely piloted aircraft systems (RPAS) of all kinds and sizes, including those used for intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR), combat (unmanned combat air vehicles, or UCAVs), law enforcement, research and other applications. Of particular focus is the FAA's planned integration of UAS into the U.S. national airspace system.

Twin-boom lift-and-cruise design will be available in both all-electric and hybrid-electric versions 

ERC Prepares To Fly Multi-role Romeo Demonstrator Aircraft

Kerry Lynch

News and issues relating to business, corporate and private aviation, primarily regarding turbine-engine-powered airplanes and helicopters. Subjects include aircraft, engines, maintenance, operations, personnel, acquisitions, accidents, safety, security, and training.

Global business aircraft activity up 4.8% YOY in June

Business Aircraft Flight Activity Sees Boost in June

Rival eVTOL developer Joby recently began flying its four-seat air taxi in Dubai

Archer Aviation Launches eVTOL Aircraft Flight Trials in Abu Dhabi

News and issues relating to international air transport and cargo carriers, national airlines and regional airlines, including aircraft, engines, personnel, acquisitions, accidents, safety, security and training.

Startups are finding new ways to reintroduce regional air transport.

New Aircraft and Flight Booking Technology Could Reinvent Regional Air Services

Amy Wilder

News and issues concerning general aviation, specifically airplanes and helicopters powered by piston and alternative engines (i.e., non-turbine powered aircraft). Subjects include aircraft, engines, personnel, acquisitions, accidents, safety, security and training.

Oshkosh exhibit to span jets, props, and electric aircraft

Textron Aviation Plans Record AirVenture Static Display

Sarah Rose

New facility accelerates cabin design and testing

Bombardier Opens Montreal Innovation and Design Center

News about bills, laws, regulations and other governmental decisions affecting aviation and aerospace. Topics include FAA re-authorizations, taxes on fuel and aviation activities, environmental legislation, ICAO decisions, governmental mediation of labor conflicts and World Trade Organization disputes and decisions.

More In Aircraft

ERC Prepares To Fly Multi-role Romeo Demonstrator Aircraft

Twin-boom lift-and-cruise design will be available in both all-electric and hybrid-electric versions

Business Aircraft Flight Activity Sees Boost in June

Global business aircraft activity up 4.8% YOY in June

Archer Aviation Launches eVTOL Aircraft Flight Trials in Abu Dhabi

Rival eVTOL developer Joby recently began flying its four-seat air taxi in Dubai

New Aircraft and Flight Booking Technology Could Reinvent Regional Air Services

Startups are finding new ways to reintroduce regional air transport.

Textron Aviation Plans Record AirVenture Static Display

Oshkosh exhibit to span jets, props, and electric aircraft

Bombardier Opens Montreal Innovation and Design Center

New facility accelerates cabin design and testing

Air One eVTOL Is Poised for Both Uncrewed and Private Pilot Roles

Early use cases include logistics operations with expanded cargo volume

Embraer’s Praetor Deliveries Take Off in 1H2025

OEM increased its midsize bizjet deliveries by 86% year over year in the first six months

AIN Products

SUBSCRIPTIONS

RESOURCES

ABOUT AIN