Türkiye extends flight suspensions across Middle East amid worsening security

Türkiye has extended its suspension of flights to several Middle Eastern destinations due to escalating security risks linked to the ongoing conflict between Iran and US-Israeli forces, Transport Minister Abdulkadir Uraloglu announced Friday. The decision comes as regional airspace closures continue to disrupt civil aviation amid Iranian retaliatory strikes and ongoing US-Israeli operations now entering their second week.

Affected destinations and airspace status

Uraloglu stated on the Turkish social media platform NSosyal that authorities are closely monitoring developments in regional airspace, noting that closures continue in Iran, Israel, Iraq, Qatar, Bahrain, Kuwait and Syria, except for Aleppo. Partial air traffic continues in Oman, Jordan and Saudi Arabia, while operations in the United Arab Emirates are being managed in a controlled and limited manner.

Extended suspension timeline

Turkish air carriers had previously suspended flights to Iran, Iraq, Syria, Lebanon and Jordan until March 6, but the suspension has now been extended until March 9 for flights operated by Turkish Airlines, AJet, Pegasus Airlines and SunExpress. Pegasus Airlines has removed its Iran flights from its schedule until March 12, while Turkish Airlines has suspended its Iran services until March 20. Following daily security assessments, flights to Qatar, Kuwait, Bahrain and the UAE will not be operated on Friday.

Grounded aircraft

Uraloglu reported that four Iraqi Airways aircraft are grounded at Istanbul Airport, two at Mugla Dalaman Airport, and one at Ankara Esenboga Airport, with grounding status in effect for a total of seven aircraft. Two aircraft belonging to Turkish Airlines and Pegasus Airlines remain at Tehran Airport, while in Iraq, one aircraft leased from Tailwind Airlines is grounded. Following a drone-related incident at Azerbaijan's Nakhchivan International Airport, two Azerbaijan Airlines passenger aircraft were diverted and landed at Igdir Sehit Bulent Aydin Airport, where passengers were safely transferred to Nakhchivan by road.

Ongoing monitoring

The minister said relevant units continue to monitor developments closely and remain in coordination with authorities to respond to any potential changes affecting regional airspace and airports. The extended suspensions reflect the worsening security situation as the US-Israeli campaign against Iran has killed more than 1,000 people including Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, with Iranian retaliatory strikes continuing to target Gulf states and drawing multiple countries into the conflict zone.