On February 21, 2021, the Boeing 737-300 operated by FlyArmenia Airways landed with the registration EK-FAA Tehran. Before that, the machine was to be flown from Armenia to Estonia and then to Gostomel. The machine is said to have been in a non-ready-to-fly condition, but received an exemption from Ukraine for maintenance purposes.

It was announced that the EK-FAA will be serviced in Gostomel and thus made airworthy. The medium-haul jet was then to be transferred back to Armenia. But it turned out quite differently, because the plane flew to Varna and then - at least officially - set course for Sharjah in the United Arab Emirates. But it landed in Therean.

According to the Aviation Authority of Ukraine, the exemption was disregarded because neither the flight to Verna nor to Tehran was approved. Local media in Iran report that the plane is said to be destined for an airline in Iran. Armenia has now opened an official investigation against Fly Armenia Airways. In extreme cases, the young aviation company could face the withdrawal of its AOC and operating license.

The affected Boeing 737-300 is still at Tehran Airport. It is still unclear whether this will ever leave Iran again. Armenia is also investigating that the machine may have been sold there. It would not be the first time that the isolated country has procured aircraft through dubious constructions in order to be able to circumvent the embargo. Even Lufthansa planes have reached Iran through intermediaries.

A lawyer appointed to represent FlyArmenia Airways told CH-Aviation.com that the situation was due to the "forgery of documents". The carrier would never have had the intention to fly the machine to the United Arab Emirates or Iran. They are working hard to get the EK-FAA out of Tehran again.