- The UAE suspended Iranian airline flights on September 25, 2026, with the order effective immediately.
- The suspension covers all flights operated by affected carriers between the UAE and Iran, with no end date announced.
- US sanctions target 27 Iranian airlines and expose foreign service providers to penalties for supporting sanctioned carriers.
The UAE suspended flights operated by Iranian airlines to and from the country on September 25, 2026, as US sanctions tightened pressure on the sector. The order took effect immediately. It remains in place until further notice.
The General Civil Aviation Authority announced the halt, saying the decision was based on US measures preventing the carriers from using airports around the world. The authority set no end date.
That leaves the suspension open-ended. The decision covers all flights operated by the carriers between the two countries, rather than a specified route or airline.
The announcement followed a wider US campaign targeting Iran’s aviation network. Washington’s measures threaten not only airlines, but also companies that provide services needed to operate flights.
The September deadline widened the pressure on carriers and their service providers
The US Treasury sanctioned 27 Iranian airlines on September 8, 2026, in a package targeting 36 entities and individuals linked to Iran’s aviation network. The measures were intended to cut the carriers off from international operations.
A deadline for foreign service providers took effect on September 23, 2026. Companies dealing with sanctioned carriers after that date risked penalties, raising the stakes for airports and businesses that support their operations.
US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent warned that providers could face consequences for supplying fuel, landing services, ticket sales or other support. He said companies risked being “knocked out of the dollar system.”
Bessent also described the intended reach of the campaign, saying: “All the Iranian airlines will be shut down around the world.” The warning extended to airports and airlines providing services to the sanctioned carriers.
Regional restrictions and service limits narrow available routes
The UAE’s action adds a major regional travel hub to the list of places where the carriers face restrictions. Oman, Georgia and Azerbaijan were also reported to have imposed restrictions, while flights to Baghdad and Muscat were canceled amid the crackdown.
The constraints reach beyond airspace access. Carriers are also losing access in some places to refueling, ground handling, ticketing and airport services, all part of the support network needed to run international flights.
Those service limits reflect the exposure facing companies that continue to work with sanctioned operators. The September 23 deadline put foreign providers at risk of penalties, while the UAE suspension directly bars flights to and from the country.
Washington says the measures target aviation support networks
The US government says it is targeting support networks because Iran’s aviation sector has been used to transport weapons, military personnel and illicit cargo. The restrictions therefore address a broader network than airlines alone, including businesses that keep flights operating.
The suspension gives Iranian civil aviation less access to a major regional hub while neighboring restrictions and service risks add further constraints. The General Civil Aviation Authority announced no specific conditions for restoring flights between the UAE and the affected carriers.
