Key Takeaways
• Iran reopened central and western airspace on June 28, 2025, for international transit flights only.
• The airspace closure lasted 15 days due to a June 13 conflict with Israel involving missile strikes.
• Major airports in north, south, and west Iran remain closed until at least June 29, 2025.
On June 28, 2025, Iran 🇮🇷 made a major announcement: it would reopen its central and western airspace to international transit flights. This decision comes after a tense 12-day aerial conflict with Israel 🇮🇱, which ended with a ceasefire just days earlier. The move is seen as a cautious but important step toward restoring normal air travel in a region that is vital for global aviation. Here’s what this means for airlines, passengers, and the broader international community.
What Happened: Iran Reopens Central and Western Airspace
Who: Iran’s Ministry of Roads and Urban Development and the Civil Aviation Organization (CAO)
What: Reopening of central and selected western airspace for international transit flights
When: Announced and effective June 28, 2025
Where: Central and western corridors of Iranian airspace
Why: Following a ceasefire with Israel and after security and safety checks
How: Partial reopening, only for overflights (no landings or takeoffs at most airports)
This reopening is not a full return to normal. Only certain air corridors in the center and west of Iran are open, and only for international transit flights—meaning planes can fly over Iran but cannot land or take off at most airports in these regions.
Details of the Airspace Reopening
Which Airspace Is Open?
- Central and Western Airspace: Now open for international transit flights only. Airlines can use these corridors to fly over Iran on their way between other countries.
- Eastern Airspace: Already reopened earlier for domestic, international, and transit flights.
- Northern, Southern, and Western Airports: Still closed to all arrivals and departures until at least June 29, 2025, 14:00 local time (10:30 GMT).
What Flights Are Allowed?
- International Overflights (Transit Flights): Planes can fly over the reopened corridors but cannot land or take off at closed airports.
- Domestic Flights: Still suspended in the north, south, and west.
- Flights to/from Key Airports: Major airports like Tehran’s Mehrabad and Imam Khomeini remain closed for arrivals and departures.
How Long Was the Closure?
- Duration: Central and western airspace was closed for 15 days, from June 13 to June 28, 2025.
Why Was the Airspace Closed?
On June 13, 2025, Iran closed its entire airspace after Israeli airstrikes hit Tehran and other locations. The closure was a direct response to the conflict, which created a dangerous environment for civil aviation. The risk of military activity, including missile launches and air defense operations, made it unsafe for commercial flights.
How the Decision Was Made
The reopening was not taken lightly. Iran’s Ministry of Roads and Urban Development and the CAO conducted thorough security and safety assessments before making the announcement. The International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) also played a role, with its Coordination Committee passing a resolution that supported the reopening. According to analysis by VisaVerge.com, this international involvement was key to ensuring that safety standards were met and that airlines could trust the new arrangements.
Majid Akhavan, spokesman for the Ministry of Roads and Urban Development, confirmed that only international transit flights are allowed in the newly opened corridors. He stressed that the reopening is partial and that the situation will be reviewed regularly.
Impact on Airlines and Passengers
For Airlines
- Resumption of Key Routes: Airlines can now use Iran’s central and western airspace for overflights. This is a critical corridor for flights between Europe and Asia.
- Reduced Rerouting: During the closure, airlines had to reroute flights around Iran, often flying over Iraq, the Persian Gulf, or even further south. This added time, fuel costs, and congestion in neighboring airspaces.
- Continued Restrictions: Airlines still cannot land or take off at major airports in the north, south, and west of Iran. Only airports in the east and southeast, such as Mashhad and Chabahar, are open for arrivals and departures.
For Passengers
- International Transit Flights: Passengers on flights between Europe and Asia may notice shorter travel times and fewer delays, as airlines can once again use the direct route over Iran.
- Direct Flights to Iran: Travelers hoping to fly directly to or from Tehran or other major cities in the north, south, or west will still face cancellations or delays until at least June 29, 2025.
- Domestic Travel: People traveling within Iran, especially to or from the affected regions, will need to wait for further updates.
For Neighboring Countries
- Regional Airspace: Iraq, Jordan, Israel, and Syria also closed their airspace during the conflict, causing a ripple effect across the region. The reopening of Iran’s airspace may encourage these countries to review and possibly lift their own restrictions.
Step-by-Step Guidance for Airlines
Airlines must follow strict procedures to ensure safety and compliance:
- Check Official Notices: Always consult Iran’s NOTAMs (Notices to Airmen) and official statements for the latest information on which corridors are open and what restrictions apply. The Iran Civil Aviation Organization (CAO) provides up-to-date notices.
- Flight Planning: Only file flight plans that use the reopened central and western corridors. Do not plan landings or takeoffs at closed airports.
- Monitor Updates: Stay alert for new announcements from the Ministry of Roads and Urban Development and the CAO, as the situation can change quickly.
- Coordinate with ICAO: Work with ICAO and regional air navigation service providers to get the latest routing and safety information.
Why Iran’s Airspace Matters for Global Aviation
Iran’s airspace is one of the most important corridors for international transit flights between Europe and Asia. When this airspace is closed, airlines must take longer routes, which can:
- Increase flight times by up to an hour or more
- Raise fuel costs
- Cause congestion in neighboring airspaces
- Lead to delays and missed connections for passengers
The reopening of central and western airspace helps ease these problems, but the partial nature of the reopening means some disruption will continue, especially for flights that need to land in Iran or use its airports as hubs.
Safety and Security Concerns
The closure and reopening of Iran’s airspace highlight the ongoing risks to civil aviation in conflict zones. During the recent conflict, the presence of military operations, including missile launches and air defense systems, made it unsafe for commercial flights. The decision to reopen was based on careful security assessments, but experts warn that the situation remains fragile.
Aviation authorities and airlines must remain vigilant. Any renewed hostilities or security incidents could lead to another closure, disrupting global air travel once again.
The Broader Geopolitical Picture
The reopening of Iran’s central and western airspace is seen as a positive sign that the region is moving toward stability after the recent conflict. However, the situation is still tense, and the future is uncertain.
- Iranian Government: Presents the reopening as proof that stability is returning and that Iran is ready to rejoin the international aviation community, but with caution.
- International Airlines: Welcome the reopening for overflights but remain cautious. Many are prepared for the possibility of sudden changes if the security situation worsens.
- Travelers: Continue to face uncertainty, especially those needing to travel to or from Iran’s major cities.
- Neighboring States: May use Iran’s decision as a guide for their own airspace policies, possibly leading to broader normalization across the region.
Historical Context: Why This Matters
Iran’s airspace has long been a vital link between Europe and Asia. In the past, closures—such as after the 2020 tensions between the United States 🇺🇸 and Iran—caused major disruptions to global aviation. The June 2025 conflict was another reminder of how quickly the situation can change and how important it is for airlines and passengers to stay informed.
The closure on June 13, 2025, followed Israeli airstrikes and Iranian missile attacks, creating a high-risk environment for civil aviation. Neighboring countries quickly followed suit, closing their own airspace and causing a cascade of disruptions across the Middle East.
Challenges for Iranian Airlines
Iranian airlines face unique challenges as they try to restore normal operations:
- International Sanctions: Ongoing sanctions make it hard for Iranian airlines to buy new planes or spare parts, leading to an aging fleet.
- Operational Hurdles: The partial reopening does not solve all problems. Airlines must still deal with route restrictions and uncertainty about when all airports will reopen.
- Passenger Confidence: Many travelers may be hesitant to book flights to or through Iran until the situation is fully resolved.
What’s Next? The Future Outlook
Short-Term
- Review on June 29, 2025: Authorities will reassess the situation after June 29, 2025. The hope is that more airports and airspace corridors will reopen if security conditions allow.
- Continued Monitoring: Airlines and passengers should expect regular updates and possible changes.
Medium-Term
- Fluid Situation: The risk of renewed conflict or security incidents remains. Any escalation could lead to new closures.
- Regional Coordination: Neighboring countries may adjust their own airspace policies in response to developments in Iran.
Long-Term
- Stability Is Key: The long-term sustainability of open air corridors depends on regional stability, improved international relations, and Iran’s ability to maintain high safety standards.
- Global Impact: As long as Iran’s airspace remains open and safe, it will continue to play a crucial role in connecting Europe and Asia.
Practical Advice for Travelers and Airlines
- Stay Informed: Check official sources like the Iran Civil Aviation Organization (CAO) for the latest updates.
- Be Flexible: Be prepared for possible changes in flight schedules or routes.
- Plan Ahead: If you need to travel to or from Iran, especially to cities in the north, south, or west, check with your airline for the latest information on airport openings.
Official Resources
For the most up-to-date information, consult these official sources:
- Iran Civil Aviation Organization (CAO): Official NOTAMs and updates
- Ministry of Roads and Urban Development: Official statements and press releases
- International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO): International coordination and safety advisories
Conclusion: A Cautious Step Forward
Iran’s decision to reopen its central and western airspace to international transit flights is a welcome development for global aviation, but it is only a partial solution. Airlines and passengers benefit from shorter routes and reduced congestion, but the ongoing closure of key airports means that full normalization is still some way off. The situation remains dynamic, and all stakeholders should continue to monitor official updates closely.
As reported by VisaVerge.com, the reopening reflects both progress and caution. It shows that international cooperation and careful security planning can help restore vital air corridors, but it also highlights the ongoing risks in a region where stability cannot be taken for granted.
For now, the world watches and waits, hoping that this cautious reopening will lead to a safer and more connected future for everyone who depends on the skies over Iran 🇮🇷.
Learn Today
International Transit Flights → Flights passing over a country’s airspace without landing or taking off there.
Ceasefire → An agreement to stop hostilities temporarily between conflicting parties.
NOTAMs → Notices to Airmen about temporary changes or hazards in airspace operations and flight routes.
ICAO → International Civil Aviation Organization, a UN agency coordinating global aviation safety and standards.
Airspace Corridor → A designated flight path within the sky used for navigation and transit by aircraft.
This Article in a Nutshell
On June 28, 2025, Iran partially reopened its central and western airspace for international transit flights, easing aviation disruptions after a 15-day closure caused by conflict with Israel. Major airports remain closed, but airlines benefit from shorter routes, signaling cautious regional stability and international aviation cooperation.
— By VisaVerge.com
