Ankara: Turkish Transport Minister Abdulkadir Uraloglu announced that Turkish airlines have canceled flights to Iraq, Syria, Lebanon, and Jordan until the end of next Friday due to ongoing risks in the Middle East. This decision reflects the heightened concerns over air travel safety in the region following recent geopolitical tensions.

According to National Iraqi News Agency, Uraloglu made this announcement through a post on the Turkish platform "InSocial," providing an update on air travel affected by the conflict involving Iran, the United States, and Israel. He emphasized that Turkey is vigilantly observing airspace developments as events unfold in the Middle East.

Uraloglu mentioned that Notices of Air Closure (NOTAMs) are still active for Iran, Israel, Iraq, Qatar, Bahrain, Kuwait, and Syria, with the exception of Aleppo. While civilian flights are partially operating in Oman, Jordan, and Saudi Arabia, air traffic in the United Arab Emirates continues on a limited basis.

Furthermore, Uraloglu explained that airlines had initially suspended flights to certain destinations in the region until the end of Monday due to security risks. However, following recent evaluations, it was decided to extend the flight cancellations until the end of Friday for routes to Iraq, Syria, Lebanon, and Jordan. The affected airlines include Turkish Airlines, AJETT, Pegasus Airlines, and SunExpress, a Turkish-German company.

He also noted that Pegasus Airlines has removed flights to Iran from its schedule until next Thursday, with Turkish Airlines extending similar cancellations until March 20th. Scheduled flights to Doha, Dubai, Kuwait, Bahrain, Abu Dhabi, and Dammam have also been canceled until the end of next Friday.

Uraloglu pointed out that two aircraft belonging to Turkish Airlines and Pegasus Airlines are currently awaiting departure at Imam Khomeini International Airport in Tehran, while a Tailwind Airlines aircraft, leased to an Iraqi company, is stationed in Iraq. He assured that Turkish authorities are maintaining coordinated efforts to address developments in the region's airspace and airport situations.