Mahan Air Adds Three More Boeing 777s Despite Sanctions

Update: July 5, added photos of the three aircraft

Iranian carrier Mahan Air has reportedly added two three Boeing 777-200 aircraft to its fleet at the end of June 2026 and early July, according to industry sources. The acquisitions come despite longstanding U.S. sanctions that prohibit the transfer of Western-built aircraft to Iranian airlines.

This article is part of an investigative series tracking the aircraft that Iran acquires despite international sanctions.

Critics argue that U.S. authorities have shown limited willingness to intervene when second-hand aircraft are sold to obscure intermediary companies. Earlier this year, two former American Airlines McDonnell Douglas MD-83s made their way to Iran after an extended stopover in Mozambique.

The three Boeing 777-200s recently acquired by Mahan Air are former Saudi Arabian Airlines (Saudia) aircraft. Industry sources indicate that the deal could ultimately involve as many as ten aircraft.

It is extremely difficult to trace which aircraft was re-registered, to which registration and where it is now parked.

On July 5 Babak Taghvaee posted on X 7 photos of three former Saudia B777 aircraft parked at an unknown airport in Iran

Based on the photo’s and the ADSB data these three aircraft were likely flown to Iran

C5-ECA (former HZ-AKA). Based on the blue tail which indicates the former Skyteam livery
C5-ECJ (former HZ-AKJ) Based on the ECJ letters on the nosewheel geardoor.
C5-ECS (former HZ-AKS) Based on the S on both sides of the fuselage near the cockpit.

Mind the text under the cockpit window has changed. This used to be God Bless You and is now xxxx Indonesia

Not on the photo
C5-ECI (former HZ-AKI). According planespotters.net the aircraft was sold by ECT Aviation Support to Sky Phoenix Airlines Transportation Trading. It departed Muscat on June 27 for Iran

According to Planespotters these are also registrations of former Saudia aircraft

• 7Q-CRJ (former C5-ECC and HZ-AKC). Saudi sold this aircraft to ECT Aviation Support. Then sold to an unknown customer
  –
• D6-AKD (former HZ-AKD was sold by Saudia directly to the present owner (unknown), and has been re-registered as D6-AKD. D6 is the prefix for the Comoros.
  –
• C9-AKR which is former HZ-AKR was also sold directly by Saudia to the present unknown owner, C9 is the prefix for Mozambique. It was seen parked in Jeddah in May 2026.

According to one insider, the aircraft carried Gambian registrations before their transfer. It is possible that the jets originated from ECT Aviation Support, a company that has had several former Saudia Boeing 777s parked in the United Arab Emirates for an extended period.

At July 4, Saudia published a statement about the transfer of the aircraft

One of the B777-200 aircraft which is confirmed to have been exported to Iran is C5-ECI. It departed Muscat on Friday June 26, 2026 at around 22:43 UTC time. After takeoff the aircraft flew towards Iran. Soon after the transponder signal was lost. This was the second B777 which was exported in the same week.

The latest additions further demonstrate Iran’s continued efforts to expand and modernise its commercial fleet through indirect channels, despite international restrictions on aircraft sales.

Babak Taghvee reported on X three more B777 will be delivered in the week of June 29. Two of them will fly to Muscat and Sohar from Fujairah and Sharjah where these are parked.

At July 1, at around 12:40 an aircraft took off from Sohar. ADSBexchange showed no registration, no callsign and no type of aircraft. Just hex code 5007A1. Sources state this was a B777. The aircraft flew direction Iran.

Data below via https://www.planespotters.net/company/ECT-Aviation-Support