IranAir has introduced a redirected daily flight service between Tehran and Istanbul to meet its pre-booked flight commitments to the EU and UK, Turkey, IRNA reported on October 21.

The service aims to provide a travel alternative for passengers impacted by the airline’s suspension of all European routes as part of an as-of-yet-announced codeshare agreement with Turkish Airlines from their hub at Istanbul Airport. The Turkish carrier will pick up where IranAir lost out on connecting passengers to London, Frankfurt, and Paris.

IranAir spokesperson Hessam Qorbanali said the daily service is intended to ease concerns for travellers affected by the EU sanctions and ensure continued connectivity with Europe.

Tickets can be purchased through travel agencies, IranAir's sales office, and online and will connect passengers via the main Turkish terminal.

Istanbul Airport and Turkish Airlines have yet to make a formal announcement of the new deal. Bne IntelliNews reached out to IranAir and Turkish Airlines but have not responded. 

Alireza Manzari, Iran's former representative to the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO), said the sanctions have noticeably driven up travel costs, ILNA reported.

According to him, flights to Europe have become at least 30% more expensive due to a shortage of direct flights, necessitating more expensive connecting journeys.

IranAir suspended its European flights on October 15 following EU sanctions imposed on IranAir, Mahan Air, and Saha Airlines. The airline assured those affected by cancelled European flights that ticket refunds would be processed within three to five days.

The sanctions have created logistical difficulties, including the refusal of European airports to refuel Iranian aeroplanes, forcing carriers to make costly adjustments.

IranAir has been relying on a practice known as "tankering," where aircraft carry additional fuel, to maintain operations, but other domestic airlines lack the fleet capacity to follow suit.

Maqsoud Asadi Samani, Secretary of the Association of Iranian Airlines, confirmed that IranAir was the last domestic carrier offering services to Europe before the suspension took effect.