Mahan Air, Iran’s second-largest carrier, is suspending all its scheduled services between Iran and Turkey with effect from 21 September 2026. The final services on affected routes operate on 20 September.
The following routes are cancelled from 21 September:
- Tehran Imam Khomeini (IKA) – Istanbul (IST)
- Tehran Imam Khomeini (IKA) – Ankara Esenboğa (ESB)
- Tehran Imam Khomeini (IKA) – Balikesir (BZI)
Mahan Air has not provided a public reason for the suspension or stated a restart date. The airline operates under US Treasury sanctions and is restricted from receiving Western aircraft maintenance parts - a constraint that has previously led to route cancellations when its fleet capacity becomes limited.
Who Is Affected
The suspension primarily affects Iranian nationals and dual nationals travelling between Iran and Turkey. Anyone with a Mahan Air booking on these routes must rebook. Iran Air, Qeshm Air, and Turkish Airlines all maintain Iran–Turkey services and may have capacity available, though fares are likely to rise as demand shifts onto remaining carriers.
Travellers currently in Turkey holding Mahan Air return tickets should contact the airline or their travel agent without delay. Ticket holders are generally entitled to a full refund when a carrier suspends a route, though processing refunds through Mahan Air has historically been slow. Consider escalating via your payment provider if the airline is unresponsive.
Alternatives and Connections
Turkish Airlines and Iran Air both operate scheduled services between Tehran and Istanbul. Flydubai and Air Arabia offer connections via the Gulf. For travellers originating in Tehran, routing through Dubai or Abu Dhabi may be the fastest rebook option depending on availability. Search available flights to Turkey to compare alternative routings before committing to a new booking.
Travellers flying into Ankara should note that direct capacity from Tehran is now reduced to Iranian carriers only. For practical details on reaching the city after landing, our Ankara airport transfer guide covers all transport options from Esenboğa.