ABU DHABI, SEPT 24: The United Arab Emirates has suspended all flights operated by Iranian airlines to and from the country until further notice, in a move that has immediately disrupted air connectivity between the UAE and Iran.
The UAE’s General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) announced that the suspension took effect on Thursday, September 24.
The authority said the decision was taken in light of a US ban on Iranian airlines using airports in various countries around the world.
The suspension covers flights operated by Iranian carriers between Iran and the UAE.
The GCAA did not specify individual airlines or routes, nor did it announce a date for restoring services.
It said authorities would continue monitoring developments and keep the public informed pending the resumption of normal air traffic between the two countries.
The move comes amid intensifying US pressure on Iran’s aviation sector. US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent had warned that Iranian airlines would face severe restrictions globally and that companies providing services such as fuel, landing assistance or ticketing to sanctioned Iranian carriers could face secondary sanctions.
The impact was already being felt on Iranian routes. Reports said Iranian carriers had cancelled or suspended services to several regional destinations, while an Iran Airtour flight from Tehran to Dubai was cancelled shortly before its scheduled departure on Thursday.
Iran has also warned neighbouring countries against cooperating with US measures targeting its airlines, with Iranian officials threatening reciprocal restrictions on countries that limit Iranian air services.
The UAE aviation regulator has advised passengers to rely only on official and authorised sources for information concerning cancelled flights, future services and any changes to the suspension.
The latest development effectively puts Iranian commercial air operations to and from UAE airports on hold indefinitely, adding another major restriction to Iran’s already heavily constrained international aviation network.
