Major international airlines including US carriers have suspended flights to Iran as nationwide anti-government protests stretch into their third week
triggering widespread cancellations and airspace alerts. The unrest sparked by economic collapse on December 28 has seen shopkeeper strikes over rial devaluation escalate into political chants against Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei with human rights groups reporting 45 to 100 deaths including minors. Authorities enacted near-total internet and mobile blackouts from January 8 hindering passenger updates airport coordination and global travel planning. Turkey's flag carriers moved decisively Friday canceling multiple routes. Turkish Airlines axed 17 flights to Tehran Tabriz and Mashhad for January 9 and 10 while low-cost arms AJet and Pegasus halted all Iran services over the same period citing regional instability. UAE-based flydubai scrapped all scheduled operations to Tehran Shiraz Mashhad and Bandar Abbas on January 9 with Emirates and Etihad Airways following suit suspending Tehran and other destinations through January 13. European operators joined the pullback amid mounting caution. Austrian Airlines cancelled its Vienna-Tehran flight on January 9 and continues monitoring developments closely. Lufthansa which paused Tehran runs last year due to Israel tensions had eyed a January 16 resumption but now faces renewed delays as protests intensify.
Gulf Carriers Ground Iran Routes
Qatar Airways suspended Doha-Tehran services with Hamad International Airport schedules showing full cancellations through January 10 despite earlier Saturday resumption hopes. Azerbaijan's national carrier also dropped a Baku-Tehran flight prioritizing passenger safety above schedules. Iran's Civil Aviation Organization issued active NOTAMs restricting airspace near protest hotspots while governments like the UK and Germany warned of anti-aircraft risks.
The flight chaos compounds economic woes fueling the demonstrations. Rial's plunge past 1.7 million to the dollar alongside 42 percent inflation sparked Tehran Grand Bazaar shutdowns now morphing into nationwide "Death to the Dictator" rallies. Security forces arrested over 2200 amid live ammunition reports though state media frames unrest as foreign sabotage.
Domestic Iranian airlines like Iran Air Mahan Air and Qeshm Air maintain internal schedules undeterred. International suspensions prioritize crew and traveler welfare amid opaque communication blackouts. Passengers face rebooking headaches with carriers urging website checks before airport travel.
Broader Travel Disruptions Loom
At least 42 Gulf-Iran flights fell victim to the halt per regional trackers with British Airways Singapore Airlines and Air India also affected. Protests hit all 31 provinces blending merchant class fury with youth demands echoing 2022 Mahsa Amini unrest but broader due to Bazaar involvement.
Airlines signal no quick reversals with weekend volatility expected through January 11. Travelers to nearby hubs like Istanbul Doha and Dubai face overflow while Iranian expatriates scramble for alternatives. Governments reiterate avoid-travel advisories as IRGC deployments thicken around key airports.
