A Boeing 737 belonging to Caspian Airlines was seized at Istanbul Airport on Monday, reportedly due to an outstanding debt claim amounting to approximately €3 million. Following the seizure, authorities removed the passengers and cabin crew from the aircraft, returning them to the terminal area.
Caspian Airlines, a carrier based in Tehran, began its operations in 1993. The situation reflects broader international pressures, as US secondary sanctions on Iran's aviation sector became effective last Wednesday.
On 8 September, the US Treasury sanctioned twenty-seven Iranian airlines alongside nine associated service providers. Consequently, flights operated by Iranian carriers have been suspended in Iraq, the UAE, Azerbaijan, and Oman.
Furthermore, Mahan Air suspended its services to both Turkey and Oman. Lufthansa and Austrian Airlines also suspended their respective routes to Iran until 24 October.
Qatar Airways cited airspace restrictions when it suspended its services. Daily international flights at Tehran's main airport dropped from 80 to 90 before the sanctions, falling to around 41 by Monday.
