The Curious Case of Ferry Flights… Lithuania

The final leg of an aircraft's lease agreement may involve the re-delivery of the aircraft to the lessor, commonly referred to as a End of Lease (EOL) ferry flight. While seemingly straightforward, ferry flights can be intricate undertakings, requiring careful planning and adherence to international regulations depending on the destination.

The recent news of two Airbus A340s, C5-MIA and C5-MIC, disappearing from radar over Iran during a supposed ferry flight, underscores the complexities and potential risks involved This incident is not an isolated one, with several other cases of aircraft disappearing mid-flight in recent years.

This summary delves into the facts around these aircraft, highlighting some considerations and drawing insights from the A340 incident in relation to aircraft transitions.

Two A340 Aircraft Disappeared – What we know

Three Airbus A340s Disappear Over Iran After Takeoff from Lithuania

On February 29th, 2024 two Airbus A340 passenger jets departed Šiauliai Airport in Lithuania in and were registered with Gambian registration numbers under the ownership of Macka Invest Company, a leasing company. On February 29th, 2024, two of the A340s (C5-MIA and C5-MIC) filed flight plans:

C5-MIC A340-300: Šiauliai (Lithuania) - Clark (Philippines)

C5-MIA A340-600: Šiauliai (Lithuania) - Colombo (Sri Lanka) (some sources report alternate destinations)

Both aircraft departed Šiauliai later that day, C5-MIC at 2:08 PM UTC+2, and C5-MIA at 2:22 PM UTC+2. Shortly after 5:00 PM UTC, both aircraft disappeared from radar over Iranian airspace, one near Tehran and the other near Chabahar. There is speculation that the aircraft may have landed in Iran without reaching their planned destinations.

The A340 Incident: The latest but not the first…

The case of the A340s, C5-MIA and C5-MIC are the latest in a number of aircraft that have seemingly disappeared over Iran.

This wouldn't be the first time Iran has been linked to the unexpected arrival of Airbus A340s. In late 2022, German media buzzed with reports of Iran's curious acquisition of four Airbus A340s. These were previously owned Turkish Airlines. Interestingly, the aircrafts' official paperwork indicated a transfer to Uzbekistan, however, aviation enthusiasts and observers were left scratching their heads when the four A340s mysteriously materialized at Imam Khomeini International Airport in Tehran, Iran.

The trend continued in 2023. Reports surfaced of Iran acquiring two Airbus A340s with an even more intriguing past they were previously operated by the French Air Force. These military-grade aircraft, likely decommissioned and converted for civilian use, once patrolled French airspace. Their sudden appearance in Iran raised further questions about the methods employed and the true purpose behind these acquisitions.

These unexpected arrivals fuelled speculation that Iran, facing international sanctions that restrict the purchase of new commercial aircraft, using unconventional tactics to circumvent sanctions and modernize its aging passenger fleet.

Step back in time…

In 2014, a curious chain of transactions involving Airbus A340-600s raised eyebrows due to potential sanctions implications and the opaque nature of the deal. The story begins with Virgin Atlantic was phasing out some of its A340s in favour of newer, more fuel-efficient models. Enter Al-Naser Airlines, an Iraqi carrier with a relatively short-lived commercial operation. Records indicate that an A340-600 was acquired by Al-Naser, seemingly a logical step for an airline seeking to expand its fleet with a capable long-haul aircraft. However, Al-Naser's ownership of the aircraft was brief. News reports and industry analysis suggest this Iraqi carrier might have acted as a convenient intermediary, potentially due to looser sanctions restrictions compared to Iran. The final destination, as uncovered by flight tracking data and aviation enthusiasts of this aircraft, was none other than Mahan Air, an Iranian airline.

Conclusion

Ferry flights are a crucial, yet intricate, element of the aircraft transition process. While the A340 incidents raises concerns, it serves as a valuable reminder for any parties involved in a ferry flight to understand all the details as to who is involved and what is the plan for the aircraft.

Due diligence is an essential consideration to ensure no one is exposed to some illegal wrongdoing by another party. The last thing you want as an individual involved getting a visit from a US Government official, due to an innocent action and unwittingly breaking International Sanctions.

Be smart and stay safe during an aircraft transition!