The flag carrier of Iran has suspended flights to Europe following the imposition of additional sanctions by the European Union. Passengers flying with Iran Air
were notified by SMS text messages that flights had been suspended due to the airline’s concern that it would not be able to land and depart from European airports.
What happened?
The news comes as the European Union imposed fresh sanctions on seven people and seven organizations, including Iranian airlines Iran Air, Saha Airlines, and Mahan Air. Of the three carriers, only Iran Air flies to destinations in Europe.
The latest sanctions are in response to reports that Iran is supplied ballistic missiles to Russia for use against Ukraine, a claim Tehran has repeatedly denied.
Related
EU Approves New Sanctions Against Iranian Carriers & Issues Travel Bans
This announcement was expected.
According to the European Union’s official sanction documentation, the move was meant to punish the airlines, which it holds responsible for the transfer, and not to impede civilian travel:
“Therefore, it is appropriate to designate three Iranian airlines which have repeatedly transferred to Russia Iranian-made UAVs and related technologies, which have been used in Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine.
“Those designations are targeted and seek to deter specific Iranian policies and activities. The Union does not intend to impede air traffic or people-to-people contacts between the Union and Iran in general.”
The United Kingdom, which is no longer in the European Union, also imposed additional sanctions against Iranian people and organizations this week.
What is affected?
Iran Air flights to all eleven European destinations it serves have been canceled. Jafar Yazarlu, a spokesperson for Iran’s Civil Aviation Organization, told the Islamic Republic News Agency (IRNA), the official news agency of the Islamic Republic of Iran, that Iran Air ceased flights to Europe because it is no longer able to receive permits for landing at European airports and to prevent passenger disruptions.
Related
Iran Air To Be Banned From Europe: Here’s Why It Matters
Europe-Iran is a big market.
According to scheduling data from Cirium, Iran Air serves the following destinations in Europe from its hub at Tehran’s Imam Khomeini International Airport
(IKA):
- London Heathrow (LHR)
- Milan Malpensa (MXP)
- Paris Charles de Gaulle (CDG)
- Hamburg (HAM)
- Frankfurt (FRA)
- Cologne (CGN)
- Vienna (VIE)
- Rome (FCO)
Image: GCMap
According to Euronews, multiple passengers reported receiving text messages informing them of the flight cancelations and indicating the cancellations were due to the new sanctions.
Passengers have since reported being stranded in multiple foreign countries. Flights to and from Tehran remain limited, as airlines worldwide have suspended flights to and from the Iranian capital.
Related
Emirates Cancels All Flights To Iran, Extends Lebanon Cancellations & Resumes Iraq Service
Emirates and other airlines extended flight suspensions as the situation in the Middle East remains tense.
Iran’s foreign ministry summoned Hungary’s ambassador earlier today to protest new European Union sanctions on Tehran. Budapest, Hungary’s capital, currently hosts the EU’s rotating presidency.