Iran Air has taken delivery of its first new long-haul aircraft from Airbus, as part of a huge order placed last year.

The new A330-200 marks the start of a major fleet renewal and expansion strategy for the Tehran-based national carrier, which expects to introduce 100 new Airbus jets into its fleet on the coming years. These include 46 single-aisle aircraft and 54 wide-body jets, including 38 A330s and 16 A350s.

The new A330 is configured with a two-cabin layout, seating 32 passengers in business class and 206 in economy.

Iran Air is planning to completely overhaul its fleet following the easing of EU and US sanctions against the Iranian government. At present, the airline operates a fleet of aging Airbus jets, including the A300 and A310, as well as Fokker 100s and McDonnell Douglas MD-82s.