Update: Multiple Airlines Cancel Iran Flights Amid Ongoing Protests

(IRAN) — If you’re flying to Iran this weekend, expect last-minute flight cancellations and rebookings as several major regional airlines suspend service while mass protests enter their 14th straight day. The disruption is concentrated on routes from the UAE, Turkey, and Qatar, with Iranian carriers still operating.

Airlines including Emirates, flydubai, turkish airlines, and AJet pulled dozens of flights on Friday, January 9, and into Saturday, January 10. The cancellations come as Iran faces a nationwide communications blackout and a violent crackdown tied to demonstrations that began on December 28 after the rial’s sharp collapse.

For travelers, the practical impact is immediate. Seats to Tehran and other Iranian cities are suddenly tighter, reroute options are fewer, and airport communication is harder when local networks are down.

What’s canceled right now

Iranian airlines, including Iran Air, Mahan Air, and Qeshm Air, continued operating their schedules. That matters if you’re trying to reach Iran at any cost. It also creates a split market where foreign carriers pause, but local carriers keep flying.

Why the protests matter to flight operations

Airline schedules can unravel fast when a country goes dark online. Carriers need stable communications for:

• Ground handling
• Passenger processing
• Crew logistics
• Disruption management

the protests have spread to dozens of cities. Demonstrators have demanded regime change, and authorities have responded with force. A US-based monitoring group said at least 42 people have been killed and more than 2,000 arrested. Videos also showed fires at buildings, including a state broadcaster facility in Isfahan.

Even if airports remain open, airlines often act early when the operating environment feels unpredictable. That’s especially true for foreign carriers with reputational and insurance exposure.

What this means for your trip plans

If you’re booked on Emirates, flydubai, Turkish Airlines, AJet, Qatar Airways, Oman Air, or Azerbaijan Airlines, prepare for irregular operations through at least Saturday. The biggest pain point is not just the canceled flight. It’s the knock-on effects:

• Fewer nonstop options into Tehran and other cities
• Longer routings via third countries, if available at all
• Harder-to-reach customer service when phone and messaging systems are strained
• More travelers competing for the same remaining seats

This is also the kind of disruption that can strand you mid-journey. If you’re connecting through Dubai, Doha, or Istanbul, confirm that your Iran-bound segment is still operating before you leave home.

⚠️ Heads Up: If your itinerary includes a connection into Iran, don’t assume the first leg being “on time” means the whole trip is safe. Verify the final segment.

Cash tickets vs. points: what frequent flyers should know

When flights get canceled, points can either save you or trap you, depending on how you booked.

If you booked an award ticket on Emirates Skywards, Turkish Airlines Miles&Smiles, Qatar Airways Privilege Club, or a partner program, the near-term issue is re-accommodation. Award inventory can be thin during disruptions. Airlines may be willing to open seats, but it varies.

Key mileage considerations this week:

• Award redeposit fees: Some programs waive redeposit and change fees during widespread disruptions. If you’re canceling, push for a fee waiver.
• Partner tickets: If you used a partner currency, the airline operating the flight still controls the seat. Changes can require a three-way conversation.
• Status protection: If you’re chasing elite status, canceled segments can cost you earnings. Ask for “original routing credit” if your program supports it.

Competitive context helps here. Gulf carriers usually have strong rebooking networks, but Iran is a niche market. When both UAE carriers and Turkish carriers pause at once, your alternatives shrink fast.

Your best alternatives if you still need to travel

Your realistic options depend on your passport, risk tolerance, and urgency.

• Some travelers will look to Iranian carriers since they are still flying. That can keep your trip intact, but may come with tighter customer support options and higher operational uncertainty if conditions deteriorate.
• Others will postpone travel and wait for foreign carriers to restart regular operations. If you’re traveling for business, build in extra buffer days. If you’re visiting family, consider whether you can enter through a nearby hub and continue later.
• If you must go, avoid tight connections. Give yourself longer layovers in Dubai, Doha, or Istanbul. Those airports handle disruptions better than smaller stations.

What to do today

Friday is the day to act. Many of these cancellations are already in effect, and Saturday’s schedule is partly suspended.

1. Check your flight status directly with your airline before heading to the airport.
2. If you’re connecting, confirm all segments, not just the first flight.
3. If your trip is discretionary, rebook to later dates while waiver options are most likely.
4. If you’re using miles, prioritize flexible programs and refundable awards.

If you’re scheduled to depart on Saturday, January 10, make a decision before you go to sleep tonight. By morning, remaining seats can be gone, and airport lines can be brutal.