Major international airlines have continued to cancel or suspend flights to and from Iran as nationwide anti-government protests enter their third week. Aviation warnings still remain in effect, leaving travel to the Islamic Republic severely disrupted.
Airspace restrictions over safety concerns
Iran’s Civil Aviation Organization and other aviation authorities issued a series of NOTAMs (Notices to Air Missions) on Jan. 9, 2026. This was a warning of heightened risks to civil aviation amid heightened security measures and widespread unrest. The advisories, which carry notices of airspace restrictions and alert airlines to safety concerns, have effectively discouraged or prohibited many international operators from using Iranian airspace or serving Iranian airports. Although authorities have not published a single consolidated public schedule confirming all details.
The unrest began on Dec. 28, 2025, sparked by economic hardship, sharp currency devaluation and rising living costs. Protests have spread across more than 100 cities and towns, and UN reports suggest around 50 people have been killed. Hundreds have been arrested as authorities imposed a near-total internet and communications blackout in an effort to curb demonstrations.
Airlines cancelling their services
International carriers responded quickly. On Friday, Jan. 9, 2026, at least 17 flydubai flights between Dubai and Iranian cities, including Tehran, Shiraz and Mashhad, were cancelled, according to the Dubai Airports website. Turkish Airlines also cancelled 17 services to Tehran, Tabriz and Mashhad, while Turkey’s low-cost AJet suspended six flights and budget carrier Pegasus halted others. Two flights between Qatar’s Doha and Tehran were cancelled, according to airport schedules.
Several carriers have paused operations: Qatar Airways cancelled Tehran services, Emirates and Etihad suspended or delayed flights to Tehran, and Austrian Airlines temporarily halted its Vienna-Tehran connection through Jan. 12 as a precautionary measure. Other airlines have paused operation on Friday and Saturday. These include: Kuwait Airways, Jazeera Airways, China Southern Airlines and Lufthansa, which is set to resume operation on Jan. 16. As of Sunday, Jan. 11, most carriers have not announced full resumption of services, and airspace advisories remain a deterrent.
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