Minister Uraloğlu announces: Flights to the Gulf suspended for another 4 days

With rising tensions in the Middle East, the suspension of flights by Turkish Airlines (THY), AJet, Pegasus, and SunExpress to Iraq, Syria, Lebanon, and Jordan has been extended. Minister of Transport and Infrastructure Abdulkadir Uraloğlu announced that, following assessments of the risks involved, airline companies will not operate flights to these countries until the end of the day on March 13.

In a statement issued by the Ministry, it was noted that the escalating tension between Iran and the US-Israel axis has caused serious security concerns in the region's airspace. In this context, it was stated that the airspaces of Iran, Israel, Iraq, Qatar, Bahrain, Kuwait, and Syria (excluding Aleppo) remain closed to flights. While civilian flights in Oman, Jordan, and Saudi Arabia continue on a limited basis, it was noted that air transport in the United Arab Emirates is being maintained in a controlled manner.

Minister Uraloğlu announced that, in light of regional developments, the airlines' prior flight cancellation policy was set to end as of March 9, but has been extended for another 4 days due to ongoing security risks. Furthermore, it was announced that Pegasus has temporarily removed flights to Iran from its schedule until March 12, and THY until March 20. Additionally, flights scheduled for Doha, Dubai, Kuwait, Bahrain, Abu Dhabi, and Dammam will not be operated until March 13.

During this process, it was stated that two aircraft belonging to THY and Pegasus are being held at Tehran Imam Khomeini International Airport. In Iraq, information was shared that an aircraft leased by the Turkish company Tailwind to an Iraq-based firm is currently located there.

The statement from the Ministry included the following: "All our relevant units are continuing their work in a coordinated manner within the framework of developments in the airspace and at airports."