Türkiye Extends Middle East Flight Suspensions Amid Iran Conflict
Türkiye extends Middle East flight suspensions amid Iran conflict
Istanbul, March 6, 2026 – Türkiye has extended its suspension of flights to several Middle Eastern countries due to escalating security concerns following the ongoing conflict in Iran, officials announced Friday.
The war erupted last weekend after U.S.-Israeli strikes on Iranian targets, provoking retaliatory attacks from Tehran. The resulting tension has caused the most significant disruption to air travel in the region since the COVID-19 pandemic.
With airspace closures and disruptions at key Gulf transit hubs, airlines have been scrambling to operate long-haul alternative routes to meet growing passenger demand.
🗣️ Transport Minister Abdulkadir Uraloğlu confirmed that flights to Iran, Iraq, Syria, Lebanon, and Jordan will remain suspended until March 9. He also announced that flights to Qatar, Kuwait, Bahrain, and the UAE would not operate on Friday.
✈️ Airline schedule changes
• Turkish Airlines (THY) canceled Iran flights until March 12
• Pegasus Airlines extended its suspension to March 20
• Turkish Airlines (THY) canceled Iran flights until March 12
• Pegasus Airlines extended its suspension to March 20
⚠️ Airspace status — Uraloğlu highlighted that airspace remains closed over Iran, Israel, Iraq, Qatar, Bahrain, Kuwait, and Syria (except Aleppo). Meanwhile, partial traffic continues in Oman, Jordan, and Saudi Arabia, and operations in the UAE are being managed under strict limitations.
🛬 aircraft status
• 7 Iraqi Airways aircraft grounded in Türkiye
• 2 Turkish planes remain at Tehran airport
• 2 Azerbaijan Airways flights rerouted to Iğdır Province; passengers transported to Nakhchivan by land following Iranian drone attacks
• 7 Iraqi Airways aircraft grounded in Türkiye
• 2 Turkish planes remain at Tehran airport
• 2 Azerbaijan Airways flights rerouted to Iğdır Province; passengers transported to Nakhchivan by land following Iranian drone attacks
🌍 regional impact — This ongoing conflict continues to challenge regional aviation, forcing travelers to monitor schedules closely and consider alternative routes.
