The landscape of travel for Iranians has become increasingly precarious, particularly for those wishing to reunite with family members residing abroad or within the country. With new sanctions in place, options for flying into and out of Iran are dwindling, leaving many travelers uncertain about their future plans.
Flight Availability for Travelers
As the global aviation landscape adjusts to new geopolitical realities, available flights to Iran are steadily decreasing. Turkish Airlines has announced a suspension of all flights to Iran, effective until at least March 2027. Similarly, Emirates has ceased operations to Tehran, while both Lufthansa and Austrian Airlines have confirmed their halt in flights to and from Iran until at least late October 2026. These airlines have indicated that even after this date, the situation remains uncertain, making it difficult for travelers to make reliable plans.
Qatar Airways has also suspended its flights to Iran due to ongoing airspace restrictions, with only tentative plans to resume operations on November 29, subject to changing conditions. Other consultative sources indicate difficulty in securing bookings on airlines like Mahan Air, as well as carriers from Russia, China, Oman, and Turkey’s Pegasus Airlines. Some agencies have reported that Pegasus has been accepting bookings for routes to Iran, only to cancel them at the last moment, leaving travelers scrambling for alternative plans.
Traveling by Alternative Routes
In light of these challenges, many individuals are exploring alternatives to direct flights into Iran. Travel agencies, which provided their insights under conditions of anonymity, reported that some travelers from Western nations now opt to fly to Turkey before embarking on a lengthy bus journey to Van, close to the Iranian border. This detour can stretch travel time significantly, with journeys lasting over 30 hours when accounting for bus rides, border crossings, and potential waiting periods.
Although a few Iranian airlines are still operating through Turkish airports, these services are under increasing strain following new sanctions imposed by the U.S. Treasury on September 8. The sanctions target various services that Iranian carriers depend on, including fuel and ticketing, effectively curtailing their international operations.
Impact of U.S. Sanctions on Travel Operations
On September 23, significant changes came into effect as U.S. sanctions against Iranian aviation began to take hold. The U.S. Treasury has accused the aviation sector of facilitating the transport of weapons and illicit cargo while also targeting 27 Iranian airlines. Although these measures do not outright bar Iranian aircraft from entering every foreign airspace, they severely limit the operational capacity of these airlines by restricting access to essential services.
Countries have begun implementing their own restrictions; for instance, Georgia halted flights operated by U.S.-sanctioned Iranian airlines on September 21. Iraq has also suspended flights from Iranian carriers as of September 22, ensuring compliance with U.S. regulations and warning against potential sanctions for non-compliance. This disruption is particularly felt by pilgrims traveling to Iraqi holy cities and families who frequently rely on flights between Iran and Iraq.
For travelers planning to enter or exit Iran, the uncertainty surrounding flight schedules poses a significant challenge. Many available options today may not reflect the operational realities of the coming weeks. As foreign airlines continue to withdraw services and as Iranian carriers face growing restrictions, the viability of travel into and out of Iran increasingly hinges on a diminishing number of available routes or the arduous requirement of overland travel through neighboring territories.