TEHRAN, Iran — Imam Khomeini International Airport (IKA), Iran’s major gateway for worldwide flights, stays totally closed with no business arrivals or departures as of Monday, March 2, 2026, because of the ongoing U.S.-Israeli army marketing campaign in opposition to Iran and Tehran’s retaliatory strikes throughout the area.
Iranian airspace (Tehran FIR, OIIX) stays below complete closure for civilian aviation, with the most recent NOTAM extending the shutdown till a minimum of 0830 GMT on March 3, based on flight-tracking authorities and pilot bulletins. Extensions seem probably given continued fight operations, explosions in Tehran and lively air defenses. Flightradar24 maps present Iranian skies nearly empty, with no scheduled site visitors at IKA and minimal overflights rerouted far south or north to keep away from the battle zone.
The closure traces to joint U.S. and Israeli airstrikes launched late February that focused Iranian army websites, nuclear-related amenities, missile bases and management, together with the reported killing of Supreme Chief Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Iran responded with missile and drone barrages hitting Israel and U.S.-allied Gulf states, prompting widespread precautionary airspace restrictions. Whereas some restricted home or important flights could function below army coordination, worldwide carriers have halted companies solely.
Main airways suspended routes to Tehran: Lufthansa prolonged cancellations to Tehran by means of March 8; Qatar Airways maintains solely minimal each day Doha-Tehran flights whereas suspending most others till June 30; Emirates, Turkish Airways and European carriers scrapped companies indefinitely. Qatar Airways’ advisory notes one each day round-trip (QR498/QR499) persists, however broader Iran community stays grounded. Regional operators like Azerbaijan Airways and Armenia Airways supply uncommon restricted entry, however most worldwide arrivals collapsed.
The Iranian Civil Aviation Group urged passengers to keep away from the airport till official resumption notices. Authorities activated army air zones, closed key corridors like G208/L125 approaching IKA from the west, and declared high-risk standing for the Tehran flight info area. Aviation danger assessors classify Iranian airspace on the most hazard degree, citing threats from air protection misidentification, short-notice closures and lively hostilities.
Disruptions ripple globally. 1000’s of flights — estimates exceed 2,000 to three,400 throughout affected hubs — face cancellation or diversion, stranding tens of hundreds. Vacationers reroute through distant paths over Saudi Arabia, Egypt or the Caucasus, including hours and prices. European carriers like Aegean, ITA Airways and others halted Center East routes, whereas international operators keep away from the hall linking Europe-Asia.
Tehran’s Mehrabad Airport (home hub) faces comparable constraints, with experiences of strikes on close by IRGC amenities. IKA, positioned south of the capital and dealing with most long-haul site visitors, reported mass cancellations — a minimum of 14-20 flights scrapped and delays in latest tallies — earlier than full suspension. No direct harm to IKA terminals from strikes has been confirmed publicly, although Tehran noticed explosions and air protection exercise.
The battle’s aviation impression ranks among the many most extreme in latest historical past, rivaling pandemic-era shutdowns. Stranded passengers face jammed hotlines, rebooking uncertainties and shelter wants. Governments issued advisories: the U.S. State Division urged warning worldwide, particularly within the Center East; European nations suggested in opposition to journey to Iran and neighbors.
Iran’s aviation authority coordinates with army channels for any reopenings, however prospects stay dim amid Trump’s statements that operations proceed till targets — degrading Iran’s capabilities — are met. Iranian officers condemned the assaults and vowed protection, with no negotiations signaled.
For vacationers, monitoring Flightradar24, airline apps or official channels is crucial quite than heading to IKA. Resumption hinges on de-escalation, however present indicators level to extended closures by means of a minimum of early March 3, probably longer if strikes persist.
The state of affairs underscores Tehran’s isolation in international connectivity throughout disaster. As one analyst famous, Iran’s place as a key East-West bridge makes its airspace closure a serious choke level, compounding financial and humanitarian strains.
Authorities proceed assessments amid fluid developments. Explosions, sirens and army actions persist in Tehran and past, preserving the capital on excessive alert.
Initially revealed on ibtimes.com.au
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