An Airbus A340-600 with registration 5N-AAM, originally operated by Virgin Atlantic and later acquired by Nigerian airline Azman Air, may have been transferred to Iran in a triangulation maneuver perfected by Tehran authorities to circumvent Western sanctions.
This model, known for its capability on intercontinental routes, has been involved in similar maneuvers in the past, with other A340 aircraft joining the Iranian fleet through indirect routes and the evasion of international sanctions.
The 5N-AAM, acquired by Azman Air in 2020, was reconfigured to transport 413 passengers and used for routes to Saudi Arabia, primarily during pilgrimage seasons, as well as domestic flights in Nigeria. In 2024, the 5N-AAM flew regularly until Azman Air ceased operations in August. The aircraft was parked at Kano Airport until it took off on November 15, turning off its transponder as it entered Iranian airspace.
The Airbus A340-600 is one of the longest commercial aircraft in the world, measuring 75.36 meters in length. It can carry between 320 and 370 passengers (Azman Air’s configuration is the highest known, high-density and designed for short trips but with record seating capacity), and its maximum range of 14,450 kilometers makes it ideal for long-haul routes. Powered by four Rolls-Royce Trent 500 engines, this aircraft combines range and capacity in high-demand markets.
Iran has previously acquired A340 aircraft in similar operations in recent years. In December 2022, four Airbus A340-300 aircraft stored in South Africa were re-registered in Burkina Faso before flying to Iran. Although their flight plans indicated Uzbekistan as their destination, the aircraft landed in Tehran. In February 2024, two other A340-300s departed from Lithuania with declared destinations in Sri Lanka and the Philippines. Both turned off their transponders upon entering Iranian airspace and landed in Tehran and Chabahar.
The arrival of these aircraft, along with the possible transfer of the A340-600 5N-AAM, clearly indicates Iran’s strategy of using indirect routes and registration changes to continue renewing its fleets while evading international sanctions that restrict access to modern aircraft.
