Flights operated by Iranian airlines to the United Arab Emirates have been suspended in a move linked to US sanctions over Iran’s aviation sector, Iran’s semi-official ISNA news agency has reported.
“All flights by Iranian airlines to the United Arab Emirates have been canceled since midnight,” ISNA said, according to AFP. UAE officials did not immediately comment.
An Iran Airtour service from Tehran to Dubai was cancelled shortly before its scheduled departure on Thursday morning, despite passengers having already been issued tickets, one traveller told AFP.
Dubai is one of the most important destinations for Iranian airlines, with several daily services from Iran. The emirate’s airport is a major connecting hub for travel to Europe, Asia and Africa, as well as a regular destination for Iranian business travellers.
The cancellations came after a US deadline for companies working with Iran’s aviation sector to comply with sanctions or risk being excluded from the dollar-based financial system. Measures could include stopping the refuelling of Iranian aircraft.
Iranian airlines began cancelling international services on Wednesday as neighbouring countries introduced restrictions. Turkmenistan also suspended access to its airspace on Thursday.
Majid Akhavan, a spokesman for Iran’s Civil Aviation Organisation, said a Tehran-Dushanbe flight had been unable to land at its destination because Turkmenistan had not authorised Iranian airlines to cross its airspace. The aircraft returned to Imam Khomeini Airport in Tehran, he told ISNA.
Turkey remains open to Iranian travellers, while several smaller Iranian carriers continue to operate international flights, particularly to China and Armenia. China has refused to comply with pressure from the United States over the sanctions.
Iran has nearly 30 airlines, most of which operate domestic and regional routes.
