UAE Suspends All Flights by Iranian Airlines

The UAE's General Civil Aviation Authority announced on Thursday, September 24, 2026, in a statement carried by the official WAM news agency, the suspension of all flights operated by Iranian airlines to and from the UAE, citing US sanctions on Iranian carriers. According to AFP, an Iran Airtour flight from Tehran to Dubai was cancelled shortly before departure on Thursday morning.

With the decision, the UAE joins Oman, Azerbaijan, Georgia and Turkmenistan in restricting or halting access for Iranian airlines. Majid Akhavan, spokesman for Iran's Civil Aviation Organization, told IRNA that diplomatic and aviation talks are under way to lift the restrictions and restore flights to the UAE. According to the latest published list, Iran's flights to China, Turkiye, Russia, Najaf, Armenia, Pakistan, Belarus and Afghanistan continue.

Dubai is a main destination for Iranian carriers and one of the key hubs for Iran's trade and currency transfers.