TEHRAN -- Flight security is the air transportation sector’s first priority, said Iran’s road and transportation minister here Monday.

Mohammad Rahmati praised the air staff for their unflinching efforts in the industry under U.S. sanctions against that have created doubts even among Washington’s allies that the U.S. is covertly selling parts to Iran.
Iran is self-sufficient in carrying out all kinds of repairs to passenger jets, and the planes are provided with timely repairs, the minister added.
Not only did the fleet capacity face no decrease, but also it increased by about 15 percent in 2006 when compared to that of its previous year, Rahmati told MNA.
Both state-run and private sectors have summoned all their energy up to increase air transportation fleet capacity, Rahmati said, adding the national airliner HOMA is not faced with any limitation for buying airplanes and the government provides financial assistance to private airliners from Oil Stabilization Fund