Minister of Transport and Infrastructure Abdulkadir Uraloğlu announced that a significant portion of passengers in the region have been evacuated via Oman due to the war in the Middle East and the closure of airspace. Uraloğlu also announced that some Middle East flights of THY, AJet, Pegasus and SunExpress have been cancelled for security reasons.
Minister of Transport and Infrastructure Abdulkadir Uraloğlu made statements regarding the airspace closures and flight cancellations that occurred in the region following the war in the Middle East.
Minister Uraloğlu stated that a significant portion of the passengers in the region due to the conflicts have been evacuated via Oman and noted that Turkish airline companies have contributed to maintaining passenger mobility with additional flights they organized especially through Muscat Airport.
Uraloğlu reported that Turkish Airlines has been continuing its operations since the date the conflicts began by planning additional flights to Muscat in order to ensure the safe evacuation of citizens and other passengers in the region.
Noting that contacts with Oman are continuing due to the heavy traffic, Uraloğlu announced that during the meeting with Oman’s Minister of Transport Said bin Hamoud Al Maawali, an agreement was reached for the additional flights of the airlines of the two countries to continue in the coming days.
Minister Uraloğlu stated that the two countries will work in close coordination to ensure uninterrupted passenger mobility and emphasized that all necessary steps have been taken so that citizens can safely return to their countries under extraordinary conditions.
Airspace closures in the region continue
Minister Uraloğlu also shared the latest situation regarding the airspaces in the Middle East. Accordingly, it was reported that NOTAMs indicating that the airspace is closed continue in Iran, Israel, Iraq, Qatar, Bahrain, Kuwait and Syria (except Aleppo).
Meanwhile, it was stated that partial civil flights continue in Oman, Jordan and Saudi Arabia, while air transportation in the United Arab Emirates continues in a controlled and limited manner.
Some Middle East flights cancelled
Stating that Turkish airline companies cancelled some flights due to security risks, Uraloğlu announced that the Iraq, Syria, Lebanon and Jordan flights of Turkish Airlines, AJet, Pegasus and SunExpress have been cancelled until the end of the day on March 13, 2026.
It was also reported that Pegasus has removed its Iran flights from its schedule until March 12, while Turkish Airlines has done so until March 20.
In addition, it was noted that flights planned to Doha, Dubai, Kuwait, Bahrain, Abu Dhabi and Dammam have also been cancelled until the end of the day on March 13.
Aircraft waiting in the region
Uraloğlu stated that currently two aircraft belonging to Turkish Airlines and Pegasus are waiting at Tehran Imam Khomeini International Airport. He also said that an aircraft leased by Tailwind Airlines to an Iraq-based company is also located in Iraq.
Minister Uraloğlu emphasized that relevant institutions continue to work in coordination in line with the developments in airspaces and airports.
