Commercial flights resume at Tehrans main airport after pause

Iran’s Imam Khomeini International Airport Reopens After 58-Day Suspension

Commercial flights have resumed from Iran’s largest airport, Imam Khomeini international airport, following its reopening last week. The airport had been closed since the launch of the US-Israel war on Iran, approximately 58 days ago.

The resumption of flights began on April 25 with operations to 15 destinations operated by eight domestic airlines, covering regional and international routes such as Medina, Istanbul, Muscat, China, and Russia. However, the number of flights is significantly lower than pre-war levels, which typically saw 150 flights per day.

Passengers have reported difficulties in finding flights due to the suspension, with some experiencing long layovers and multiple connections. The airport’s infrastructure has been restored to approximately 95% readiness, but concerns remain about the safety of foreign carriers operating in the country.

The Iranian Civil Aviation Organization reports that 20 aircraft have been destroyed and are no longer operational as a result of the war. Foreign companies have expressed apprehension about returning to operate at Iranian airports due to uncertainty surrounding the political landscape between Tehran and Washington.

The impact of the war extends beyond the aviation sector, with widespread destruction of civilian infrastructure and significant economic losses reported. The suspension of flights also disrupted businesses and separated families, causing stress for many travelers.

Air traffic gradually resumed from April 19, in four phases, starting with transit flights followed by domestic flights, culminating in the full resumption of operations at international airports.

Source: Al Jazeera