Ankara, March 6, 2026 – The Europe Today: Türkiye has extended the suspension of flights to several Middle Eastern destinations due to escalating security risks linked to the ongoing conflict involving Iran, the United States, and Israel, Transport and Infrastructure Minister Abdulkadir Uraloglu announced on Friday.
In a statement shared on the Turkish social media platform NSosyal, Uraloglu said authorities are closely monitoring developments in regional airspace, noting that airspace closures remain in effect in Iran, Israel, Iraq, Qatar, Bahrain, Kuwait, and Syria, with the exception of Aleppo.
He added that partial air traffic continues in Oman, Jordan, and Saudi Arabia, while flight operations in the United Arab Emirates are being conducted in a controlled and limited manner.
The minister said Turkish airlines had earlier suspended flights to Iran, Iraq, Syria, Lebanon, and Jordan until March 6 due to security concerns. However, the suspension has now been extended until the end of March 9 for flights operated by Turkish Airlines, AJet, Pegasus Airlines, and SunExpress.
Uraloglu further noted that Pegasus Airlines has removed its Iran flights from the schedule until March 12, while Turkish Airlines has suspended services to Iran until March 20.
Following daily security assessments of regional airspace developments, flights to Qatar, Kuwait, Bahrain, and the UAE were also not operated on Friday, he said.
Providing further details, the minister revealed that seven Iraqi Airways aircraft are currently grounded in Türkiye, including four at Istanbul Airport, two at Mugla Dalaman Airport, and one at Ankara Esenboga Airport, with the situation being monitored in coordination with relevant authorities.
He also confirmed that two aircraft belonging to Turkish Airlines and Pegasus Airlines remain at Tehran Airport, while one aircraft leased from Tailwind Airlines is currently in Iraq.
Meanwhile, after a drone-related incident near Azerbaijan’s Nakhchivan International Airport, two passenger aircraft belonging to Azerbaijan Airlines were diverted and safely landed at Igdir Sehit Bulent Aydin Airport in eastern Türkiye. Passengers were subsequently transported to Nakhchivan by road.
Uraloglu emphasized that relevant Turkish authorities continue to closely monitor developments and remain in coordination with international aviation bodies to respond to any changes affecting regional airspace and airport operations.
