Key Facts
- ✓ 46 flights were canceled at Tehran's Imam Khomeini International Airport between last Friday and Sunday.
- ✓ Airlines including Emirates, Qatar Airways, Turkish Airlines, FlyDubai, and Pegasus Airlines suspended services.
- ✓ Austrian Airlines is the only European airline currently serving Iran, though it canceled flights from Vienna last weekend.
- ✓ Protests began in late December due to a sharp drop in the currency value and rising inflation.
- ✓ The Human Rights Activists News Agency verified over 500 deaths and 10,000 arrests.
Quick Summary
International air travel to Iran has been severely disrupted as dozens of flights were canceled this weekend. The cancellations come amidst escalating anti-government demonstrations that have swept the country in recent weeks. Major carriers from the Middle East and Europe have suspended services, citing security precautions.
Flight data indicates that 46 flights were canceled at Tehran's Imam Khomeini International Airport alone between last Friday and Sunday. Additionally, flights at Mashhad Shahid Hasheminejad Airport in Iran's second-largest city were also grounded. The situation remains fluid as airlines continuously monitor the security landscape in the region.
Widespread Flight Cancellations 🛫
A significant number of airlines have suspended operations to and from Iran following the escalation of civil unrest. The cancellations primarily affect routes connecting Iran with the United Arab Emirates and Turkey.
According to data from FlightAware, 46 flights entering or leaving Tehran's Imam Khomeini International Airport were canceled between last Friday and Sunday. A number of flights at Mashhad Shahid Hasheminejad Airport were also affected. The following airlines canceled flights to Iran during the weekend:
Most of the suspended flights were scheduled to travel to or arrive from Dubai and Istanbul. Despite the widespread cancellations, Turkish carriers generally continue to operate, while European options have become limited.
"Developments across the entire region are being continuously and closely monitored."
— Austrian Airlines Spokesperson
European Carrier Status ✈️
Among European airlines, Austrian Airlines is currently the only carrier continuing to serve Iran, though it also canceled services from Vienna last weekend. The airline attributed the suspension to a review of the current security situation.
A spokesperson for the airline stated that the decision was made out of precaution. They added, "Developments across the entire region are being continuously and closely monitored." Austrian Airlines is a subsidiary of the German airline Lufthansa. The parent company had previously suspended flights to Iran due to a conflict last year but had announced plans to resume services this Friday, January 16.
Context of Protests 📉
The travel disruptions are a direct result of anti-government demonstrations that began in Iran in late December. The protests were triggered by a sharp drop in the value of the national currency, the rial, and rising inflation.
What started as strikes by shopkeepers in Tehran quickly spread throughout the country and turned violent. Many protestors are calling for an end to nearly 50 years of clerical rule. The Human Rights Activists News Agency has verified over 500 deaths and 10,000 arrests connected to the unrest.
History of Airspace Disruptions 🚨
This is not the first time in recent history that airlines have halted flights to Iran. The region has seen significant aviation disruptions previously due to military conflict.
Last June, Iranian airspace was temporarily closed after the country was bombed by Israel. Iran responded with missiles and drones, leading to further escalation. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) had previously banned US airlines from flying over Iran in early 2020 following Iranian rocket strikes on US military bases in Iraq. During the conflict last June, over 160 flights were forced to divert.
"Lufthansa continues to suspend flights to Tehran and plans to resume services on 16 January, as previously communicated, while closely monitoring the situation on an ongoing basis."
— Lufthansa Spokesperson
