Iran completes 1,100 Arbaeen flights carrying 141,000 pilgrims by 12 Mordad

Morteza Dehghan, deputy roads and urban development minister and chief executive of the Iran Airports and Air Navigation Company, said on Tuesday, 4 August 2026 (13 Mordad 1405) that around 1,100 Arbaeen flights have been operated from the country's airports since 22 July (31 Tir), carrying about 141,000 passengers in both directions. He said 25 international airports and air border points have been prepared for the Arbaeen 1405 travel operation.

Dehghan said two air traffic exchange routes with Iraq have been opened for the first time this year, shortening flight paths from airports in the south and southeast of the country. More than 20 locations across Iran are currently serving pilgrims, with demand highest in Tehran province, where both Imam Khomeini and Mehrabad international airports are in service. Mehrabad handles an average of 12 dedicated Arbaeen movements a day.

Four border airports, at Ilam, Kermanshah, Ahvaz and Abadan, are operating in support of the Arbaeen operation, and Mashhad airport is serving both Iranian and Iraqi pilgrims. Dehghan described the performance as notable given post war conditions and said the company is ready to meet airline requests, particularly for the return leg of pilgrims' journeys.