Iran's Meraj Air acquires an ex-Pakistani A340 for gov't ops

Meraj Air (JI, Tehran Mehrabad) has taken delivery of its maiden A340-300, ex-AirBlue (PA, Karachi Int'l) machine EP-AJA (cn 257), that was originally reported as being destined for Asian Express Airline (Tajikistan) (KV, Dushanbe). Originally listed as heading for Singapore Changi, the quadjet was seen arriving at Tehran Mehrabad on Tuesday, September 15.

Reports out of Iran indicate the aircraft has already been reconfigured for VIP operations for the Iranian government and is sporting "Islamic Republic of Iran" titles.

Earlier this year, Mahan Air (W5, Tehran Mehrabad) acquired a fleet of seven ex-Virgin Atlantic (VS,London Heathrow) and Hi Fly Malta (5M, Malta) A340-600s as well as an ex-Virgin Atlantic A340-300 through its Iraqi proxy Al-Naser Airlines (NR, Baghdad).