Turkish ground handlers Havaş and Çelebi have ended their existing service agreements with Iranian airlines after the latest US sanctions on Iran’s aviation sector, with the change taking effect on 1 October. The move means Iranian carriers flying to Türkiye will no longer receive ground-handling support from the two companies at Turkish airports, putting more than 100 weekly flights at risk.
The decision follows a new US sanctions package aimed at Iran’s aviation network, including airlines and third-country service providers linked to Mahan Air. Turkish reporting linked the measures to pressure on firms in Türkiye that have supported sanctioned Iranian operators, while also highlighting the compliance risk for airport service companies handling flights on Iran-Türkiye routes.
Iranian carriers were reported to operate nearly 100 weekly flights to destinations including Istanbul, Denizli, Trabzon, Isparta and Van. The withdrawal of ground services is likely to affect flight continuity and airport operations for those services, as the Turkish handlers adjust to the sanctions environment.