Iran grounds over 40 passenger jets over suspected engine flaws

Iranian officials have removed 41 passenger airplanes from operation because of concerns about engine reliability in McDonnell Douglas models. Sara Fallah, a member of the national security commission in parliament, reported that safety agencies warned the civil aviation authority about the heightened risk. She accused several airlines of prioritising commercial interests, using the high cost of spare parts as a pretext, and stressed that human lives must come first.

The grounding reflects long-standing challenges for Iranian airlines, which struggle to obtain parts due to extensive international sanctions. The United States recently expanded sanctions on Iran's aviation sector, threatening to cut off any country that supplies fuel, ground services, or sells tickets to Iranian carriers. These measures have already led to the cancellation of many international routes.