BUSINESS

Mahan Air to Resume China Flights as Iran Reopens Skies

Published: Apr. 24, 2026 11:00 p.m. GMT+8

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A Mahan Air passenger plane taxis at Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport. Photo: VCG

Iranian carrier Mahan Air will resume passenger flights between Iran and China on April 27 as the Middle Eastern nation gradually reopens its airspace following closures triggered by the ongoing regional conflict.

The flight resumption underscores the slow and fragmented recovery of Middle Eastern civil aviation following the outbreak of the U.S.-Iran war in late February, with international carriers remaining cautious about using the region’s skies because of lingering security risks.

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Mahan Air resumes Iran-China flights April 27: 3 weekly Tehran-Beijing/Guangzhou, 4 weekly Tehran-Shanghai until May 25.
Iran reopens airspace in stages after Feb. 28 US-Israel attack; Iran Air resumes domestic flights April 20.
Regional aviation recovers slowly; Emirates at 77.2% capacity, Kuwait airspace closed, Chinese embassy advises against travel.

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Who’s Who

Mahan Air: Mahan Air, one of Iran’s two largest carriers, will resume passenger flights to China on April 27. It plans three weekly Tehran-Beijing/Guangzhou flights and four weekly Tehran-Shanghai flights until May 25, amid Iran’s airspace reopening. (38 words)

Iran Air: Iran Air, Iran's flag carrier, resumed domestic flights on April 20 after a 50-day grounding due to the U.S.-Iran war. It is expected to soon restore routes to Turkey and Oman, per Bloomberg. (38 words)

Emirates: Emirates has recovered to about 77.2% of its prewar capacity as of April 23 Flightradar24 data, leading major Middle Eastern airlines (Etihad <70%, Qatar <60%). UAE airspace is conditionally open with strict approvals. (38 words)

Etihad Airways: Etihad Airways has recovered to less than 70% of its prewar capacity, according to Flightradar24 data from April 23, trailing Emirates (77.2%) among major Middle Eastern airlines amid the U.S.-Iran conflict recovery.

Qatar Airways: Qatar Airways has recovered to below 60% of its prewar capacity as of April 23 Flightradar24 data, trailing Emirates (77.2%) and Etihad (<70%). Qatar's airspace is conditionally open with strict approvals; Doha airport saw foreign airlines restore services on April 21. (42 words)

Flightradar24: Flightradar24 data shows Iran's skies largely empty with congested Eurasian routes and diverted Middle Eastern paths. On April 23, it reported Emirates at 77.2% prewar capacity, Etihad under 70%, and Qatar Airways below 60%.

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