Azman Air has denied allegations of selling aircraft to Iran and plans to initiate legal action against these claims. The airline’s Accountable Manager, Muhammad AbdulManaf, clarified that the aircraft were sent to Iran exclusively for a routine C-Check, as mandated by the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA).
AbdulManaf stated that Azman Air is unaware of any sanctions between Nigeria and Iran. In an interview with a Kano-based news outlet, he addressed claims of smuggling aircraft to Iran, expressing his shock and asserting that such stories lack credibility.
He emphasized that their aircraft underwent routine C-Checks, due every 18 months, and clarified that aircraft cannot be sold or de-registered without proper NCAA documentation. He highlighted that the NCAA has not received any related correspondence from Azman.
AbdulManaf also mentioned ongoing investigations into the alleged deactivation of transponders on some aircraft. Azman Air has contacted the Iranian Civil Aviation Authority for clarification on this matter, as it reportedly took place outside Nigerian jurisdiction. He noted that any malfunction of transponders during flights was documented in their technical log and reported to the NCAA.
AbdulManaf stated that Azman Air is unaware of any sanctions between Nigeria and Iran, highlighting that economic treaties exist among D8 countries (including Nigeria, Iran, and others) that facilitate free trade in aviation services and products.
Additionally, the Middle East Forum reported that Iran’s largest airline, Mahan Air, allegedly utilized Azman Air to transport an Airbus A340-642 to them on November 15, 2024. The report further indicated that while the aircraft was flying from Kano to Kabul, its crew disabled the ADS-B transponder at 39,000 feet upon entering Iranian airspace before ultimately landing at Tehran’s Mehrabad International Airport.