The village subsequently came into the possession of the Nezam-Mafi family. These changes illustrate the complicated history of landownership in the region before its transformation into an airport.
During the twentieth century, Tehran expanded rapidly, and areas that had previously been villages or estates became increasingly important for urban development. The construction of roads, public buildings, military facilities, and transportation infrastructure changed the character of the city. Mehrabad became part of this transformation when its land was developed for aviation.
The history of the village is therefore an important part of the airport’s background. It explains the origin of its name and demonstrates how land that once belonged to prominent families became a major public transportation facility.
Establishment of the Airport in 1938
Mehrabad Airport was established in 1938 during the reign of Reza Shah Pahlavi, a period when Iran was pursuing modernization in several areas, including transportation and communication. Aviation was becoming increasingly important throughout the world, and countries were beginning to develop airports to support passenger travel, cargo transportation, and military operations.
In 1925, exclusive rights for aviation operations in Iran were granted to the German company Junkers. Following the establishment of a flying club, the company developed an aviation facility on the land that would become Mehrabad Airport.
