Commercial flights from Tehran’s main airport resume amid cautious normalcy | US-Israel war on Iran News
Air Traffic Resumes at Tehran’s Imam Khomeini Airport Following Reopening
TEHRAN, Iran — More commercial flights are departing from Imam Khomeini International Airport, Iran’s largest airport, after its reopening last week. The airport had been closed for approximately 58 days due to the US-Israel conflict affecting the region, which resulted in a suspension of air traffic and the shutdown of flight information boards.
The resumption of flights began on April 25, with eight domestic airlines operating services to 15 destinations, including major regional and international cities such as Medina, Istanbul, Muscat, China, and Russia. However, the volume of flights remains significantly lower than pre-war levels, when the airport typically handled around 150 flights daily.
“After a lot of stress and problems, I’ve found a ticket with an Iranian airline — flying first to Armenia with a long layover, and then on to Canada,” said Maryam, a traveler seeking to visit her daughters in Toronto.
Ramin Kashef Azar, CEO of Imam Khomeini Airport City, noted that the return of foreign carriers, many of which have long operated in Iran, will depend on political stability and their own risk assessments. According to the Iranian Civil Aviation Organization, about 20 aircraft have been destroyed and are no longer operational, but airport infrastructure remains largely intact, with approximately 95 percent readiness.
The reopening follows a phased approach to resuming air traffic, initiated on April 19. This strategy included transit flights, domestic flights, and full operations at international airports, as confirmed by the Iranian aviation regulator. Nevertheless, foreign airlines remain hesitant to return amid ongoing geopolitical uncertainties between Tehran and Washington.
Damage to Civil Aviation Sector
The war has inflicted considerable damage on Iran’s civil aviation sector. More than 3,300 people have lost their lives, with thousands injured, and civilian infrastructure has sustained widespread destruction.
Mehrabad Airport, also in Tehran, has been impacted by US-Israeli attacks during the conflict. Primarily handling domestic flights, it previously served as the country’s main airport before Imam Khomeini’s construction in 2009. Other airports in Kashan, Tabriz, Ahvaz, Mashhad, Khoy, and Urmia have also been targeted, resulting in damage to several civilian aircraft.
This is not the first instance of Mehrabad Airport facing attacks; in June 2025, it was also reportedly targeted during a previous conflict. Iranian officials, however, stated that the airport and its runways escaped damage at that time.
The ramifications of the war extend beyond aviation, severely affecting businesses, leading to revenue losses, layoffs, and operational disruptions. Babak, a tour guide, indicated that he and many colleagues lost their jobs due to the suspension of tours during the ongoing conflict.
The recent Nowruz celebrations, traditionally a peak aviation season, also experienced flight cancellations, significantly disrupting tours, charter flights, and hotel bookings. Travel agent Bijan reported processing refunds and reducing staff from 20 to just two.
As air traffic begins to return to Tehran, the gradual influx of passengers represents a tentative step toward reestablishing connections with the outside world amid ongoing uncertainties.
