[Asia Economy Reporter Hyunwoo Lee] On the 1st (local time), the U.S. Department of Transportation imposed a fine of $400,000 (approximately 467 million KRW) on Emirates Airlines, the largest Middle Eastern airline, for operating aircraft in Iranian airspace designated as a no-fly zone. However, it was announced that if Emirates Airlines avoids similar violations for the next year, half of the fine will be waived.
According to foreign media including the Associated Press, the U.S. Department of Transportation stated that it is imposing the fine on Emirates Airlines because "the airline operated aircraft a total of 19 times in the prohibited Iranian airspace last July." Previously, in June of last year, the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) banned civilian flights in Iranian airspace, including the Persian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman, after the Iranian Revolutionary Guard shot down a U.S. military reconnaissance drone. Although the FAA's order applies only to U.S. airlines, Emirates Airlines became subject to the regulation because it has a codeshare agreement with the U.S. low-cost carrier JetBlue.
Emirates Airlines explained that it was "an unintentional mistake," but agreed on the need to address safety issues and accepted the fine. Emirates Airlines must pay $200,000 of the fine within 120 days, and the remaining $200,000 will be waived if there are no further violations within one year.
Emirates Airlines decided to cancel flights in the Iranian airspace designated as a no-fly zone by the U.S., but will maintain twice-daily flights to Tehran.
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