Turkish Airlines faces flight suspensions amid geopolitical tensions
Turkish Airlines has announced the suspension of flights to Iran and the Gulf region, effective immediately, with operations expected to remain halted until at least March 13, 2026. This decision comes amid escalating geopolitical tensions that have impacted travel routes and airline operations.
On March 9, 2026, the airline confirmed that four flights to Tehran scheduled for Saturday were cancelled. Additionally, flights to various destinations in the Gulf region have been removed from the schedule until at least March 20, 2026.
In 2025, Turkish Airlines reported a profit of USD 2.2 billion from its core operations, with revenues exceeding USD 24.1 billion. The airline experienced a 12% increase in revenues during the fourth quarter of 2025, reaching USD 6.3 billion, and a profit from core operations of USD 534 million, marking a 23% increase compared to the same quarter the previous year.
The airline’s EBITDAR margin for 2025 stood at 23.7%, and its consolidated assets amounted to USD 46.6 billion. Furthermore, Turkish Airlines expanded its fleet by 5% year over year, bringing the total number of aircraft to 516 by the end of 2025.
Passenger revenues increased by 7.4% in 2025, while cargo revenue reached USD 3.4 billion. Despite these positive financial results, the airline has been affected by geopolitical tensions and economic uncertainties stemming from trade wars.
Details remain unconfirmed regarding the exact duration of flight suspensions beyond March 13, 2026, and the long-term impact of these geopolitical tensions on Turkish Airlines’ operations remains uncertain. The airline’s management is closely monitoring the situation as it develops.