Iran resumes full international, domestic flights after 20-day suspension
Iran’s Imam Khomeini International Airport welcomed its first foreign flight after a 20-day suspension, FlyDubai service from the UAE on Friday, the Civil Aviation Organization (CAO) announced.
In a statement issued Friday, the Civil Aviation Organization said, "This morning, after a 20-day suspension of international flights resulting from the Zionist regime’s 12-day imposed war against the Islamic Republic of Iran, the first international flight landed at Imam Khomeini International Airport."
Friday’s FlyDubai flight from the Emirates to Tehran marked the resumption of international flights following the 20-day hiatus.
Announcing the news, the CAO emphasized that "henceforth, with improved flight conditions, international flights to specific destinations will resume in full coordination with relevant authorities."
Mehdi Ramezani, the CAO spokesperson, stated that the landing heralded a "new phase of stability" for Iran’s aviation sector after recent tensions with Israel. He added that it reflected "a return to calm and intelligent management of the nation’s airspace."
Airlines began avoiding Iranian airspace on June 13 when the Israeli regime launched unprovoked aggression against the country. The eastern half of Iran’s airspace reopened to domestic and international flights on June 25, a day after the United States claimed it had brokered a unilateral ceasefire between Iran and Israel.
Speaking on Wednesday, Flydubai CEO Ghaith Al Ghaith said, “We continue to monitor the situation closely and adjust our flight schedule accordingly. Our agility and preparedness enable us to act quickly during challenging times while adhering to the highest operational standards and prioritizing the safety of our crew and passengers. We are pleased to resume operations and look forward to reinstating services to remaining affected markets soon.”
Emirati airline Air Arabia also announced flights from Sharjah to Tehran and Shiraz will commence Sunday. The Sharjah-based carrier operates flights to Mashhad and Lar, Tasnim News Agency reported.
Last week, Air Arabia stated, “As regional airspace continues to reopen, Air Arabia is gradually resuming operations. Customers are advised to visit airarabia.com for the latest updates and flight status. Affected passengers will be notified directly via SMS and email.”
Iran, Iraq, and Jordan had closed their airspace following Israel’s aggression against Iran on June 13.
First flight takes off from northwestern Iran
Separately, the first flight from Shahid Madani International Airport in Tabriz to Istanbul operated Saturday after reconstruction of the runway damaged during the 12-day war.
Ramin Azari, Director General of East Azerbaijan Airports, told IRNA, "Following the reopening and reconstruction of Tabriz International Airport’s runway today after a 23-day flight suspension, the Tabriz-Istanbul flight was operated by Iranian Ata Airlines."
Commending “the round-the-clock efforts and exceptional devotion of Tabriz airport personnel,” Minister of Roads and Urban Development Farzaneh Sadegh announced the airport is now ready to dispatch and receive domestic and international flights.
According to the Civil Aviation Organization, Tabriz airport, a key aerial artery in northwestern Iran, sustained serious damage to infrastructure and aviation equipment, particularly flight surfaces, during invasions by the Zionist regime in the 12-day imposed war.