Financial Tribune - A total of 51 foreign airlines are now operating in Iran, up from fewer than 40 before the implementation of the 2015 Iran nuclear deal, formally known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action.

Out of the 51, eight are among the top 10 airlines of the world, namely Air France, Lufthansa, British Airways, Turkish Airlines, Qatar Airways, Etihad Airways, Emirates and Thai Airways.

A report by the Persian newspaper Iran shows that in the last fiscal year (March 2017-18), foreign airlines carried 5.37 million passengers via 40,000 flights while domestic airlines operated 46,000 international flights to transport 6.65 million passengers.

Data released by Iran Airports Company shows Tehran�s Mehrabad International Airport was the busiest Iranian airport during the year, registering 143,440 takeoffs and landings and carrying over 17.45 million passengers.