Iran, Italy to increase weekly flights

Iran and Italy have decided to increase the number of their direct flights, a senior aviation official announced on Wednesday. "We plan to increase the number of flights (between the two countries) by singing a memorandum of understanding (MoU) in the near future," Deputy Head of Iran’s Civil Aviation Organization Mohammad Khodakarami told reporters on Wednesday. He noted that there are currently six weekly flights underway between Iran and Italy. "A more suitable atmosphere will be created for the operation of the two countries' airlines through updating the air transportation MoU between Iran and Italy in the near future," Khodakarami said. He recalled that a meeting attended by high-ranking officials of Alitalia Airline, Italian Embassy officials and officials of Iran's Civil Aviation Organization was held to facilitate aviation cooperation between the two countries. Late in December, former Italian Foreign Minister Emma Bonino in a meeting with Iranian President Hassan Rouhani stressed Iran’s key role in the region, and said her country is eager to use Tehran’s experiences and potentials in settling the regional crises. During the meeting, Bonino said that “Italy while contributing to the promotion of Iran-Europe ties, hopes to be able to have joint cooperation with Iran in solving regional issues”. “Italy is eager to expand cooperation with Iran in economic, industrial, energy, tourism, science and research domains,” she added.