Saudi Arabia-Iran flights suspended as tensions rise
07 / 01 / 2016
Saudi Arabia and Bahrain have halted all flights to and from Iran amid rising tension in the region following the Saudis’ execution on January 2 of Sheikh Nimr al-Nimr and other prominent Shi’ite clerics and consequent severing of diplomatic relations.
Saudia and Gulf Air have halted all flights, as has Iran Air and Mahan Air. However, air transport between Saudi Arabia, Bahrain and Iran is still theoretically possible on other carriers via their hubs in the Middle East, although all the countries involved have also broken off trade ties.
Before the ban, Saudia operated passenger flights between Dammam in Saudi Arabia, to Mashhad, Iran and Iran Air and Mahan Air flew from their home country to Dammam, Jeddah and Madinah.
Gulf Air also maintained flights to Tehran and Shiraz in Iran. No Iranian destinations were listed on Saudia’s freighter schedules.
