IranAir introduced a daily diversion between Tehran and Istanbul to fulfil its pre-booking obligations for flights to the EU, UK and Turkey, according to Arab media.
The move will provide an alternative to passengers affected by the airline’s suspension of all European routes under a yet-to-be-announced codeshare agreement with Turkish Airlines from their hub at Istanbul Airport.
The Turkish carrier would catch the flights that IranAir lost when passengers were transferred to London, Frankfurt and Paris. IranAir spokesperson Hessam Qorbanali said the daily service aimed to ease concerns of travellers affected by the EU sanctions and to ensure continuous links to Europe.
Alireza Manzari, Iran’s former representative to the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO), stated that sanctions raised the cost of travel significantly. Flights to Europe became at least 30 per cent more expensive due to the lack of direct flights, resulting in the need for more expensive connecting flights, Manzari added.
IranAir suspended its European flights on 15 October following EU sanctions imposed on IranAir, Mahan Air and Saha Airlines. The sanctions caused logistical difficulties, including the refusal of European airports to refuel Iranian aircraft, forcing the carriers to make costly adjustments.
Maqsoud Asadi Samani, Secretary of the Association of Iranian Airlines, said IranAir was the last domestic carrier to offer services to Europe before the suspension took effect.
