Greek airlines Aegean has announced the suspension of flight to and from Tehran effective as of October 11th 2018.
The suspension is temporary, the airlines said and added “The company is forced to temporarily discontinue this route due to foreign exchange bank restrictions that affect its viability.”
In the statement AEGEAN informs passengers that “the company will grant a full refund for tickets issued to/from Tehran. For changes and cancellations, please contact AEGEAN’s reservation department at 8011120000 or +30 2106261000.”
AEGEAN is not the only European Airlines suspending flights to/from Tehran.
Towards end of August also Dutch KLM and the British Airways suspended flights to Tehran, citing “negative results and financial outlook for the Tehran operation.”
Sanctions of US Administration against Iran in late spring included included blocks on financial transactions and imports of raw materials, as well as sanctions on Iran’s automotive sector, commercial aircraft purchases and even the carpet industry.
Remaining sanctions – including on Iran’s oil and gas sector and central bank – will resume in early November.
Air France cut back flights to Tehran to only operate in summer.
Lufthansa, Austrian Airlines and Alitalia are the European airlines are still operating direct flights to Tehran.
Turkish Airlines has still a strong presence with direct flights to Tehran form the international airport in Istanbul. Most likely the TL will benefit from the new situation – and maybe also Iranair that has direct flights to Amsterdam, London and Paris.
