This study investigates the current status and identifies the key

challenges of air cargo transit in Iran, with a specific focus on

Imam Khomeini International Airport. The research further

examines strategies for improving and developing this sector

under the constraints imposed by international sanctions and

within the increasingly competitive global environment. The

main objective of the study is to identify and evaluate the

critical factors influencing the enhancement of Iran’s air cargo

transit performance. Methodologically, the research is applied

in nature and employs a combined approach based on both

library studies and field data collection. Field data were

obtained from two statistical populations, including 150 cargo

owners and 15 experts and professionals in the aviation

industry. Data analysis was conducted using statistical

techniques in SPSS, alongside multi-criteria decision-making

methods, namely the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) and

the Fuzzy Technique for Order Preference by Similarity to

Ideal Solution (Fuzzy TOPSIS).The findings indicate that the

development of air cargo transit infrastructure (weight =

0.4412), efficient and strategic management (weight = 0.2901),

and strengthened international aviation relations (weight =

0.2686) are the most influential factors contributing to the

improvement of Iran’s air cargo transit performance. These

results highlight the necessity of adopting a systematic and

integrated approach to infrastructure development, managerial

optimization, and international cooperation in order to enhance

the competitiveness and operational effectiveness of the

country’s air cargo transit system.