- Azman Air denied allegations of selling or smuggling aircraft to Iran, calling the claims baseless and threatening legal action against rumor spreaders
- The airline clarified that the aircraft were sent for routine maintenance, not sale, and emphasized compliance with aviation regulations
Azman Air has denied allegations that it sold or smuggled its aircraft to Iran, describing the claims as baseless and threatening legal action against those spreading the rumours.
The controversy centres around reports suggesting the airline sold two aircraft—a Boeing 737-300 (5N-YSM) and an Airbus A340-600 (5N-AAM)—to Iran’s Mahan Air without due process, allegedly violating international sanctions on Iran.
Reports claim the aircraft flew from Kano to Kabul. At the same time, over Iranian airspace, the Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast (ADS-B) transponder was allegedly turned off before landing at Tehran’s Mehrabad International Airport.
Muhammad Hadi AbdulManaf, Azman Air’s Accountable Manager, dismissed the claims, clarifying that the aircraft were sent to Iran for C-Check maintenance, a routine procedure mandated every 18 months by the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA).
“Our aircraft went for routine maintenance. It is absurd to hear allegations of smuggling. An aircraft cannot be smuggled like a cow. This story is completely baseless and lacks merit,” he said.
He emphasized that the airline followed NCAA protocols, stating:
- The NCAA has not received any documentation or request from Azman Air to deregister the aircraft, which is required for any sale.
- The aircraft remain under Azman Air’s operational control.
Regarding the alleged deactivation of the transponder, Azman Air explained that:
- The transponder developed a fault en route to its destination, which was logged in the aircraft’s technical records and reported to the NCAA.
- The airline has contacted the Iranian Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) for further clarification, as the incident reportedly occurred outside Nigerian jurisdiction.
“If a transponder malfunctioned, the country’s air traffic control would have raised concerns. To date, we have received no such complaints,” AbdulManaf added.
The airline also addressed concerns about sanctions, stating that Nigeria and Iran are part of the D8 economic cooperation framework, which promotes free trade among member countries, including aviation services.
Azman Air has initiated internal investigations and pledged legal action against those responsible for the spread of misinformation.
AbdulManaf reiterated, “We have neither sold our aircraft nor engaged in any illegal activities. The public should disregard these unfounded allegations.”