Mahan Air was founded in 1991 and is headquartered in Tehran. It is one of Iran's largest private airlines, running scheduled services from its Tehran hub to domestic points and to destinations across Asia, the Middle East and Europe. Widebodies form the long-haul core of the fleet, making it one of the larger carriers in the Iranian market. Its non-stop Beijing, Shanghai and Guangzhou to Tehran routes are an important belly cargo channel between China and Iran.
Mahan Air has long operated under international sanctions, which constrain fleet renewal and route operations, and its schedule is sensitive to the geopolitical situation. Even so, it restored its China routes in April 2026 after an interruption of about fifty days and announced full resumption of China-Iran services in June 2026, at about sixteen flights a week in total: six a week Shanghai to Tehran, three a week Beijing to Tehran and seven a week Guangzhou to Tehran. That is significant capacity on the China-Iran lane.
For Chinese shippers the core value is direct China-Iran belly capacity on widebodies. Chinese exports of machinery and electrical goods, chemicals, building materials and light industrial products, and Iranian return cargo such as saffron, dried fruit and chemicals, can move both ways on the direct channel. Given the sanctions environment, actual schedules change with the season and the carrier's confirmation on the day of booking applies.
With Tehran as its core hub and its long-haul widebodies back on China routes in 2026, Mahan Air is one of the most frequent carriers between China and Iran. Compared with routings through third-country hubs such as Dubai or Istanbul, a direct flight to Tehran removes one stop and a second loading, which particularly suits time-critical project shipments and high-value return cargo. For Chinese shippers in long-term Iran trade, having this supplementary capacity means a reliable channel is still available when Iranian schedules fluctuate.
Mahan Air has passenger and commercial offices in Beijing, Shanghai and Guangzhou, but direct booking and settlement channels for cargo shippers are limited. Contact its local agent in China, or ask Goodhope Freight to make the approach. International settlement and sanctions issues make direct booking with the carrier difficult for shippers.
As an international forwarder at origin in China, Goodhope Logistics (China) Limited handles space enquiries on Mahan Air's widebody bellies, rate negotiation, waybill preparation and arrival notices for shippers. Send the cargo details, origin and destination airports and transit requirement, and Goodhope Freight replies with available space and the full cost, together with waybill and tracking information.
Mahan Air's official website is mahan.aero; carrier times, aircraft and schedules are subject to that site and to notices on the day of booking. China-Iran routes involve particular settlement and compliance arrangements, which Goodhope Freight confirms with the carrier and the shipper at booking.
As a forwarder at origin in China, Goodhope Freight tracks Mahan Air's schedule recovery and space changes. Because its schedule is heavily affected by the geopolitical situation, shippers should talk to Goodhope Freight at the production planning stage so that any carrier change is reported immediately. For regular customers with steady monthly volume, Goodhope Freight can set up standing space reservations and information sharing to reduce the uncertainty of booking at short notice and help pace shipments in Iran trade.
Mahan Air's current fleet is built around Airbus widebodies and Boeing 747s, with regional types such as the BAe 146. According to aviation databases, long-haul and medium-haul routes are flown by Airbus A300-600, Airbus A340-300, Airbus A340-600, Boeing 747-300M and Boeing 747-400 widebodies. Their large bellies are the main source of belly capacity on the direct China-Iran flights.
| Aircraft type | Approximate number in service | Positioning | Role in belly cargo |
|---|---|---|---|
| Airbus A340-300 | About 9 aircraft | long-haul four-engine widebody | main belly capacity on the direct China-Iran flights, with large volume |
| Airbus A340-600 | About 6 aircraft | long-haul stretched widebody | belly capacity on long sectors, suited to larger consignments |
| Airbus A300-600 | Several aircraft | medium-haul widebody | belly capacity on regional routes for general cargo both ways |
| Boeing 747 family | Several aircraft | Long-haul widebody | large belly, taking bigger consignments |
| regional types such as the BAe 146 | Several aircraft | Domestic regional routes | Connecting small consignments within Iran |
The figures above come from public aviation databases. Following the attack on Tehran airport in March 2026 and fleet rotation, the number of aircraft actually flying varies considerably; the carrier's confirmation on the day of booking applies. Widebody bellies handle long and heavy pieces better than narrowbodies, but schedulable capacity is limited, so peak-season space should be reserved in advance.
At booking, shippers can ask Goodhope Freight which aircraft type is operating that week so that packing and pallet plans match the hold dimensions. The Airbus A340 and Boeing 747, as four-engine or large widebodies, have much bigger lower holds than narrowbodies and suit bulk export loads. Out-of-gauge or very long equipment has to be assessed separately against the loose-load door dimensions of the specific type.
Mahan Air's scheduled points in China are Beijing Capital, Shanghai Pudong and Guangzhou Baiyun, all paired with Tehran Imam Khomeini International Airport. According to the carrier's June 2026 notice, China-Iran services are fully restored at about sixteen flights a week in total.
| China destinations | Route direction | Weekly frequency | Reference flight numbers |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shanghai Pudong (PVG) | Tehran IKA, served in both directions | About 6 flights per week | W5077 / W5076 |
| Beijing Capital (PEK) | Tehran IKA, served in both directions | about 3 a week | W5079 / W5078 |
| Guangzhou Baiyun (CAN) | Tehran IKA, served in both directions | about 7 a week (daily) | W5091 / W5090 |
Frequencies are as published by the carrier in June 2026. Sanctions and the geopolitical situation mean Mahan Air's schedule can be unstable; actual schedules change with the season and the carrier's confirmation on the day of booking applies. Shippers in northern China can use Beijing, in eastern China Shanghai and in southern China Guangzhou. All cross-border times are local.
Note that from late February to April 2026 the China routes were interrupted for about fifty days because of the geopolitical situation and then resumed gradually in late April. That shows how sensitive China-Iran schedules are to external conditions. Shippers should build in flexibility and confirm the week's operating status with Goodhope Freight on the day of booking; for orders with rigid delivery dates, a backup routing through a Middle East hub should be prepared at the same time.
Through Mahan Air's network Chinese shippers reach Tehran directly and use it as a gateway to the Middle East, Central Asia and neighbouring regions. Chinese exports to Iran are mainly machinery and electrical products, chemical raw materials, building materials, hardware and tools, textiles and garments, and consumer goods, while return cargo is mainly saffron, pistachios and other dried fruit, carpets and petrochemicals.
As a Mahan Air hub, Tehran distributes cargo to Iranian cities such as Shiraz, Isfahan and Mashhad and connects to Middle East points such as Baghdad, Dubai and Istanbul. For Chinese engineering and trading customers who need to reach the Iranian interior, a direct flight to Tehran followed by distribution is faster overall than routing through a third country.
Mahan Air's widebody bellies are an important part of the supplementary capacity in China-Iran trade. When direct Iranian schedules are unstable, Mahan Air carries a considerable share of belly cargo from China to Tehran and is a key alternative or supplement for shippers planning Iran logistics.
By commodity, Chinese exports to Iran are mainly higher-value industrial and capital goods that need good transit times and low damage rates, while return cargo is mainly speciality agricultural and petrochemical products with high value density in moderate volumes. Widebody non-stops from Beijing, Shanghai and Guangzhou match that two-way flow, so the export and return legs fill each other on the same route. Shippers can pick the nearest Chinese airport to the consignor or consignee.
For cargo that needs onward distribution from Tehran into Iran, Mahan Air's domestic regional network provides the last leg; for cargo transiting to a third country in the Middle East, Goodhope Freight can combine it with partner carriers. Overall Mahan Air gives Chinese shippers a direct widebody channel to Iran with three departure airports and two-way load matching.
The first advantage of Mahan Air's cargo capacity is widebody belly volume and non-stop frequency. About sixteen widebody non-stops a week from Beijing, Shanghai and Guangzhou give Chinese shippers a fairly frequent China-Iran belly option, with Guangzhou daily, so space can be chosen around the delivery date.
The second is its value as supplementary capacity in China-Iran trade. In a particular geopolitical environment few carriers can keep flying China to Tehran reliably, and as one of Iran's largest private airlines Mahan Air's widebody bellies are an important channel for Chinese shippers to Iran. Keeping that space available matters for companies in Iran trade.
The third is two-way load matching. Chinese industrial exports to Iran and Iranian speciality produce on the return leg can fill each other's bellies on the same non-stop sector. Goodhope Freight can cost the export and return legs together at booking to balance the two-way logistics cost.
The fourth is documentation and customs efficiency. A direct flight to Tehran means one through waybill, avoiding document splitting and second clearance in transit. For engineering materials and high-value return cargo with strict documentation, a single waybill cuts uncertainty at customs, shortens time at destination and lets the consignee complete import formalities in Tehran in one go.
Mahan Air has limited direct booking channels for cargo shippers, so bookings go through an authorized forwarder. Shippers should send the shipping order to Goodhope Freight seven to ten days before the planned departure, with pieces, weight, dimensions, commodity, consignor and consignee details and the transit requirement. Goodhope Freight completes the widebody space enquiry and quotation within one to two working days and replies with available space, cut-off time and settlement arrangements.
The cut-off is usually 24 to 36 hours before departure, and cargo must be at the Beijing, Shanghai or Guangzhou airport terminal, or at Goodhope Freight's bonded warehouse, before then. Restricted goods such as lithium batteries, magnetic items, liquids and powders need an MSDS and a transport conditions report at booking. Quarantine goods on the Iranian return leg, such as saffron and dried fruit, need the consignee to complete import licences and quarantine declarations in advance.
Settlement and compliance on China-Iran routes are particular; costs and documents are confirmed with the carrier at booking and set out in writing by Goodhope Freight. After departure Goodhope Freight sends the waybill details, and on arrival in Tehran the local agent notifies the consignee for collection and arranges onward domestic distribution as required.
On export documents, Chinese shippers need a commercial invoice, packing list, export declaration authorization and a list of shipper and consignee details. For categories subject to Iranian import licensing, the consignee must complete the import formalities in advance. We flag the relevant documents and compliance requirements at booking stage so cargo is not held at Tehran for incomplete paperwork. For regular customers we can also set up a standard shipping template to shorten the information gathering for each booking.
Mahan Air's widebody bellies can take a certain volume of engineering materials and project shipments for Chinese companies working on projects in Iran. Out-of-gauge equipment needs cargo details submitted at least two weeks in advance so the carrier can assess whether it fits the loose-load hold. Pallet plans and routings for such project cargo are drawn up by Goodhope Freight with the carrier, and space is reserved against project milestones.
On the return leg, Iranian specialities such as saffron and pistachios can be handled with priority loading, temperature control and insurance. Saffron is a high-value sensitive commodity that must be declared strictly under quarantine and customs rules, and Goodhope Freight advises shippers at booking on the packaging and accompanying documents to prepare.
For cargo transiting Tehran to a third country in the Middle East, Goodhope Freight can connect Mahan Air or partner carrier routes to build a combined delivery plan to inland points in the region. Note that sanctions can cause Mahan Air's schedule to change at short notice, so shippers should confirm the week's operating status on the day of booking and allow some flexibility.
Mahan Air also serves Iranian points beyond Tehran, including Shiraz, Isfahan, Mashhad and Tabriz, and cargo can connect to domestic regional bellies after landing. For Chinese trading and engineering customers working deep in the Iranian interior, this gateway plus domestic regional structure carries cargo from a Chinese airport to a point close to the final consignee in one movement and removes a transfer at the end.
This is a schematic of the network, not a map to scale. Tehran IKA is the hub, with long arcs east to the three Chinese gateways of Beijing, Shanghai and Guangzhou, and domestic spokes to Shiraz, Mashhad and other cities. Of the three airports Guangzhou has the most flights, then Shanghai, with Beijing at three a week. Actual points and schedules change with the season; the carrier's confirmation on the day of booking applies.
Yes. Mahan Air restored its China routes on 27 April 2026 and announced full resumption of China-Iran services in June 2026 at about sixteen flights a week in total: six a week Shanghai to Tehran, three a week Beijing to Tehran and seven a week Guangzhou to Tehran. Given the sanctions environment, actual schedules change with the season and the carrier's confirmation on the day of booking applies. Goodhope Freight can confirm the space available at the three airports for the week at booking and offer alternatives when flights change.
Yes. After passenger baggage is loaded, the remaining loose-load space on Mahan Air's Airbus A340 and Boeing 747 widebodies is sold for general cargo, including machinery and electrical products, chemical raw materials, building materials and hardware, textiles and consumer goods. Restricted goods such as lithium batteries, magnetic items, liquids and powders need an MSDS and a transport conditions report at booking. Out-of-gauge engineering equipment must be declared in advance for the carrier to assess loading. Goodhope Freight can check at booking whether a shipment fits the hold of that week's aircraft type.
Mahan Air has long operated under international sanctions, which constrain fleet maintenance, fuel supply and airspace access, and with the geopolitical situation its schedule can change at short notice or be interrupted for a period. Shippers should confirm the week's operating status on the day of booking and allow some flexibility. Goodhope Freight tracks schedule changes continuously, reports them immediately and offers alternatives. For orders with rigid delivery dates, a backup routing through a Middle East hub should be prepared.
All three airports pair with Tehran. Shippers in northern China can use Beijing Capital, in eastern China Shanghai Pudong and in southern China Guangzhou Baiyun. Guangzhou has the most flights at one a day, Shanghai about six a week and Beijing about three a week. Shippers can choose the best airport with Goodhope Freight's help based on location, urgency and that week's space. Larger shippers can also shift between the three airports, coordinated by Goodhope Freight, depending on space that week.
Shippers should submit the shipping order seven to ten days before the planned departure, and Goodhope Freight completes the space enquiry and quotation within one to two working days. The cut-off is usually 24 to 36 hours before departure, and cargo must be at the relevant airport terminal or Goodhope Freight's bonded warehouse before then. Settlement and compliance on China-Iran routes are particular; costs and documents are confirmed with the carrier at booking and set out in writing. For regular customers Goodhope Freight can set up a weekly space reservation and report carrier schedule changes immediately to keep production planning stable.
Routes, schedules, aircraft and capacity Information here are for business reference only; the official notices of the carrier, Mahan Air, and confirmation on the day of booking apply. Mahan Air has long operated under international sanctions, actual schedules change with the season, and shippers should confirm the week's operating status on the day of booking.
Operations and agency enquiries: Goodhope Logistics (China) Limited, website https://goodhope86.com, email info@goodhope86.com
The Mahan Air name, marks and related trademarks belong to Mahan Air. The material is produced by Goodhope Logistics (China) Limited to describe cargo services from China.