Flights Over Turkmenistan Blocked for Iranian Carriers; UAE Services Cancelled

All flights operated by Iranian airlines to the United Arab Emirates have been cancelled since midnight on 24 September 2026, a spokesman for Iran's Civil Aviation Organization said. The announcement affects travellers booked on Iranian carriers between the two countries.

Separately, a flight from Tehran to Dushanbe was forced to return to Imam Khomeini International Airport in Tehran after Turkmenistan did not grant permission for Iranian airlines to use its airspace, the Iranian Students News Agency (ISNA) reported.

Key facts

• Effective: since midnight, 24 September 2026
• Flights affected: all services operated by Iranian airlines to the United Arab Emirates
• A Tehran–Dushanbe flight returned to Imam Khomeini International Airport after being unable to land at its destination
• Cause of the diversion: Turkmenistan did not issue permission for Iranian airlines to cross its airspace
• Source of the announcements: a spokesman for Iran's Civil Aviation Organization, cited by ISNA

What is changing?

Iranian airlines are no longer operating flights to the United Arab Emirates. The cancellation covers all flights by Iranian carriers to the UAE and took effect from midnight on 24 September 2026, according to the spokesman for Iran's Civil Aviation Organization.

What happened to the Tehran–Dushanbe flight?

A flight travelling from Tehran to Dushanbe was unable to land at its destination and had to fly back to Imam Khomeini International Airport in Tehran. The spokesman said the aircraft could not continue because Turkmenistan had not issued permission for Iranian airlines to cross its airspace.

What this means for travellers

Travellers booked on Iranian airlines to the United Arab Emirates should expect those flights not to operate. Passengers on Iranian carriers routed over Turkmenistan may also face disruption, as the Tehran–Dushanbe service was turned back when permission to use Turkmen airspace was not granted.

The source does not state how long the cancellations will last, whether refunds or rebooking are available, or whether other routes using Turkmen airspace are affected.