Norwegian’s Stranded Boeing 737 Finally Leaves Iran
This post contains references to products from one or more of our advertisers. We may receive compensation when you click on links to those products. Terms apply to the offers listed on this page. For an explanation of our Advertising Policy, visit this page.
On Dec. 14 a brand new Norwegian Air Boeing 737 Max made an emergency landing in Iran due to engine issues while en route from Dubai to Oslo. While the plane landed safely and passengers were able to fly out the very next day, the airline couldn’t have imagined what getting the aircraft home was going to involve.
Due to the recently reinstated sanctions against Iran by the US, which ban the sale of products that contain at least 10 percent US content, the airline was unable to send new gear to Iran to fix the stricken plane. This caused major headaches for the airline in obtaining the parts needed to get its newest plane airborne, out of the country and back in service.
The aircraft remained stranded in Iran for more than two months while the airline worked on finding a solution — all of this at a time when the airline was struggling. Having a brand new plane stuck in Iran certainly didn’t help its situation.
In the end, Norwegian had to obtain special permission from the US government through the Treasury Department’s Office of Foreign Asset Control (OFAC). The process might have been a bit more straightforward, but the timeframe overlapped with much of the recent US government shutdown, making the process even more difficult. Gordon Johndroe, a spokesman for Boeing, confirmed to the Chicago Tribune that Boeing was able to finally obtain a license from the OFAC to get the much needed parts to the stranded plane.
Now, after more than two months of being stranded, the 737 has finally returned to Stockholm. The plane landed early Saturday morning. The touchdown marks the end of the ordeal for the airline after months of dealing with red tape to get the aircraft home again.
H/T: Bloomberg
Featured Photo by Francis Dean/Corbis/Getty Images
Sign-up Successful!
Welcome to The Points Guy!
WELCOME OFFER: 80,000 Points
TPG'S BONUS VALUATION*: $1,650
CARD HIGHLIGHTS: 2X points on all travel and dining, points transferrable to over a dozen travel partners
*Bonus value is an estimated value calculated by TPG and not the card issuer. View our latest valuations here.
- Earn 80,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That's $1,000 when you redeem through Chase Ultimate Rewards®. Plus earn up to $50 in statement credits towards grocery store purchases within your first year of account opening.
- Earn 2X points on dining including eligible delivery services, takeout and dining out and travel. Plus, earn 1 point per dollar spent on all other purchases.
- Get 25% more value when you redeem for airfare, hotels, car rentals and cruises through Chase Ultimate Rewards®. For example, 80,000 points are worth $1,000 toward travel.
- With Pay Yourself Back℠, your points are worth 25% more during the current offer when you redeem them for statement credits against existing purchases in select, rotating categories.
- Get unlimited deliveries with a $0 delivery fee and reduced service fees on eligible orders over $12 for a minimum of one year with DashPass, DoorDash's subscription service. Activate by 12/31/21.
- Count on Trip Cancellation/Interruption Insurance, Auto Rental Collision Damage Waiver, Lost Luggage Insurance and more.
- Get up to $60 back on an eligible Peloton Digital or All-Access Membership through 12/31/2021, and get full access to their workout library through the Peloton app, including cardio, running, strength, yoga, and more. Take classes using a phone, tablet, or TV. No fitness equipment is required.
Disclaimer: The responses below are not provided or commissioned by the bank advertiser. Responses have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by the bank advertiser. It is not the bank advertiser’s responsibility to ensure all posts and/or questions are answered.
Editorial Disclaimer: Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, airlines or hotel chain, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities.