According to the Public Relations and International Affairs of the Kish Free Zone Organization, Abuzar Shiroudi said at the opening ceremony of two infrastructure projects in Kish's aviation and airport sector: the approach of the Civil Aviation Organization and the Airports and Air Navigation Company is to provide air services to citizens in all parts of the country in the shortest possible time so that people can benefit from air transport capacity.
Referring to the special importance of air transport for Kish Island, he added: this issue is doubly important in Kish, because a significant portion of travel to this island is carried out via air transport.
The head of the Civil Aviation Organization continued: after the recent imposed war, this organization was obliged, in coordination with the country's passive defense apparatus and military bodies, to provide the grounds for the resumption of Kish flights as quickly as possible.
Shiroudi, referring to the coordinations carried out with the CEO of the Kish Free Zone Organization, said: in the course of follow-ups related to reopening the island's air routes, meetings were held with the CEO of the Kish Free Zone Organization and, through his efforts and coordination with the passive defense body, the grounds for the resumption of flights were provided.
He added: fortunately, in the past month the process of the return and increase of Kish flights has begun and today we witness the highest number of flights to this island since the end of the war, such that 11 flights have arrived in Kish and 11 flights have also departed from this island, and in total 22 flight legs are scheduled for today.
The head of the Civil Aviation Organization emphasized that the current flight capacity still does not fully meet the island's needs and stated: with the coordinations made, the number of Kish flights will increase in the coming days and weeks so that a greater portion of the island's air transport needs will be met.
Shiroudi thanked the CEO of the Kish Free Zone Organization and the management team of the region for their efforts to develop infrastructure and air services and said: the actions taken in this regard have played an effective role in improving the island's flight conditions.
Development of general aviation in Kish
He also, referring to the inauguration of airport infrastructure projects in Kish, said: the Kish airport complex is a pioneer in developing aviation infrastructure and, given existing capacities, it is possible to expand specialized activities at this airport.
The head of the Civil Aviation Organization named one of the areas with growth capacity in Kish as general aviation and said: it is expected that this field, from recreational flights and the operation of light and ultralight aircraft to other related sectors, will receive more attention than before.
Shiroudi added: the development of general aviation in Kish has begun and we expect the region's management team to continue this path with greater planning and capability so that the existing capacities in this field reach optimal utilization.
Commissioning of a Boeing 737 simulator in Kish
He continued, referring to the inauguration of a Boeing 737 aircraft simulator at Kish International Airport, saying: launching this simulator is an important and influential action in the field of training and the development of the country's aviation industry.
The head of the Civil Aviation Organization, emphasizing the importance of reducing dependence on foreign infrastructure in the aviation industry, said: the less the country's dependence on foreign air infrastructure, the more confidently aviation activities in the country will be pursued.
Shiroudi described Atlas Group as one of the reputable companies in the aviation sector and said: this group operates in training, operational and flight sectors and has plans to deploy equipment and develop new capacities in Kish and other cities of the country, and the Civil Aviation Organization will cooperate to realize these plans so that the country's aviation infrastructure is strengthened more than before.
Gradual reduction of flight restrictions
The head of the Civil Aviation Organization, in another part of his remarks, referring to the performance of the country's aviation industry during the war, said: with the efforts of the country's aviation industry and within the framework of the policies and emphases of the Minister of Roads and Urban Development, the country's air capacities were managed so that the conditions resulting from the war did not have a significant impact on the overall capacity of the country's air transport.
Shiroudi added: these efforts continue and at a certain period limitations were imposed to preserve flight safety; because safety is the first priority of the aviation industry and it is not allowed for this issue to be affected by various conditions.
He noted: these restrictions are gradually being reduced and with their removal, the country's flight capacity and the number of flights to various destinations will increase.
The head of the Civil Aviation Organization concluded by stressing: developing air infrastructure, increasing flight capacity and improving aviation services are important programs of the country's air transport industry and Kish Island, given its existing capacities, can play an effective role in realizing these goals.