Transfer of European Passengers to Turkey by Iran Air Following Flight Restrictions to Europe

After the European Union imposed sanctions on Iranian airlines and the Islamic Republic's response of halting all flights to Europe, the spokesperson for Iran Air announced the establishment of a daily flight for European passengers to Istanbul and vice versa. Hessam Ghorbanali stated that the aim of this action is to facilitate travel and reduce concerns for European passengers, emphasizing that this flight has been operational since October 16. Last week, following the sanctions on three Iranian airlines by the European Union, the secretary of the Airlines Association mentioned that 'only Iran Air had flights to Europe among Iranian companies' and stated that with the new EU sanctions, no Iranian airline would be flying to this continent anymore. The sanctions on Iranian airlines came at a time when Masoud Pezeshkian had said during the appointment of Raisi's successor, 'I have come to lift the sanctions.' According to the sanctions on Monday, October 23, the European Union included Iran Air, Mahan Air, and Saha, as well as Hamzeh Ghalandari, the deputy minister of defense of the Islamic Republic, among those sanctioned. The European Union announced that aircraft from these companies have been repeatedly used to transfer Iranian-made drones and related technologies to Russia, which has employed them in its 'aggressive war' against Ukraine. These sanctions have caused many problems for European passengers, as 'Iran Air' offered the cheapest flights to Europe, and passengers will now have to use foreign airlines, including those from Turkey and the UAE, at higher prices. The new sanctions from the European Union and Britain against several officials and entities of the Islamic Republic have received responses, including calls for sanctions against the Iranian government to be enforced. Government officials have stated that no Iranian aircraft will fly to Europe anymore, while users have commented that they have been removed from the circle of the world. European and Israeli officials welcomed the EU's sanctions against the Islamic Republic. The new sanctions against the Islamic Republic also include the seizure of 'Iran Air' assets and two other airlines, along with new British sanctions against seven individuals and two entities linked to the Iranian government.