EU prepares to ease restrictions on Iran air carriers

Brussels

ALMOST six years ago, the European Union (EU) sharply curtailed access to its airspace for Iran's ageing airline fleet. But officials in Brussels say they are prepared to loosen some of those restrictions as the easing of Western sanctions gradually allows new planes and spare parts to enter Iran after decades of isolation.

The overture follows the nuclear accord reached with the United States and other world powers in January, and it will be presented during a visit to Teheran this weekend by a delegation from the European Commission, the bloc's executive branch, officials said. It forms part of a broader European effort to revive economic ties between Iran and the 28-member bloc, which was once one of Iran's largest trading partners.