Iran's aviation industry has been dealt a severe blow as several European nations announced they will no longer permit flights from Iran Air, the country's national carrier. This dramatic decision comes in the wake of Tehran's recent sale of ballistic missiles to Russia, further straining already tense relations between Iran and Western countries. The move is poised to significantly disrupt air travel between Europe and Iran, impacting millions of passengers annually.
On Wednesday, the aviation news site Simple Flying reported that France, Germany, and the United Kingdom will prohibit the airline from operating flights to their territories. This isn't the first time the airline has faced such restrictions; similar prohibitions were in place from 2010 to 2016 and briefly in 2020.
BREAKING: US sanctions Iran's flagship airline Iran Air, along with other people and entities accused of enabling the delivery of Iranian drones and missiles to Russia. pic.twitter.com/casuA82WMH
— Elizabeth Hagedorn (@ElizHagedorn) September 10, 2024
The report reveals that last year, roughly 1.8 million travelers flew between Europe and Iran (excluding Turkey). Iran Air held the distinction of being the carrier that operated the highest number of direct flights on routes connecting Iran with European destinations.
There's a possibility that this decision could extend to other member states of the European Union. Simple Flying suggests that Iran will likely retaliate by barring Austrian Airlines and Lufthansa from operating flights to its airspace.
