TEHRAN (Tasnim) – The European Commission has announced Iranian national carrier Iran Air can resume flights in the EU, a report said.

"I am happy to announce that we are now also able to allow most aircraft from IranAir back into European skies," said EU Transport Commissioner Violeta Bulc as cited by Reuters on Thursday.

The EU executive also removed Indonesia's Citilink, Batik Air and all Zambian airlines from the blacklist.

Iran Air was banned by the European bloc in 2010 over “safety” issues with its planes.

The latest EU announcement comes after eight European commissioners traveled to Tehran back in April to look at ways to boost ties between Iran and the union following last year’s nuclear deal between Tehran and world powers.

Tehran and the Group 5+1 (Russia, China, the US, Britain, France and Germany) on July 14, 2015 finalized the nuclear deal and started implementing it on January 16.

The agreement, also known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), terminated all nuclear-related sanctions imposed on Iran.

Iran has a fleet of 250 aircraft, of which 90 are grounded due to the economy or missing parts, Managing Director of Iran Air Farhad Parvaresh said earlier this month.

Of that total, 80 percent will need to be renewed in the next decade, he said, adding that growth could add even more jets to Iran’s shopping list.

By Tasnim News Agency