Türkiye’s three major airlines, Turkish Airlines (THY), AJet and Pegasus, have suspended flights to and from Iran following the implementation of US sanctions targeting the Iranian aviation sector.
According to a report by Ragıp Soylu of Middle East Eye (MEE), the three Turkish carriers have cancelled their Iran-bound and Iran-originating flights.
THY and AJet schedules show no Iran flights until March
Flight schedules published on the websites of THY and AJet reportedly show no flights to Iran through March. Pegasus, meanwhile, has removed all Iran flights from its reservation system for the foreseeable future.
Iran International, citing a THY representative, reported that there was no guarantee that flights would resume after March 2027.
“Sanctions are severe enough to force airlines to suspend flights”
A source described by MEE as being close to the issue said the US Treasury Department’s sanctions targeting Iran’s aviation sector were severe enough to force Turkish airlines to suspend their operations.
The source said restrictions on US-made aircraft such as Boeing were understandable, but that the latest sanctions also prevented Airbus aircraft from operating flights to Iran because they contain US-made components.
Under these conditions, the source said airlines had no other option.
Mahan Air banned from operating flights to Türkiye
A Turkish official said Mahan Air was the only Iranian airline banned from flying to Türkiye as of Monday.
The official said other Iranian airlines remained free to operate flights between the two countries for the time being.
Bank Mellat’s banking licence revoked
Developments concerning Iran in Türkiye have extended beyond the aviation sector. Türkiye revoked the banking licence of Iran-based Bank Mellat last week after the bank had operated in the country for decades.
The banking regulator also took over the management of Golden Global Yatırım Bankası after the US imposed sanctions on the bank over allegations that it had transferred funds to the Iranian government.
