Lufthansa, Austrian Airlines pull back from Tehran amid Iran turmoil

Lufthansa has suspended flights to and from Tehran until March 29, a spokesperson for the airline told AFP on January 19.

The representative said the suspension will remain in effect as long as the German airline group continues to adjust its operations in the region. 

Austrian Airlines, which is part of the Lufthansa Group, has also halted services to the Iranian capital, with flights not expected to resume before at least February 16.

Last week, Lufthansa announced that it would avoid the airspace of both Iran and Iraq. The airline later clarified that, starting January 20, it would resume using a designated corridor through Iraqi airspace, while continuing to bypass Iranian airspace entirely.

The decision comes against the backdrop of growing instability in Iran. The country, long regarded by travellers as a destination rich in ancient history, culture, and striking architecture — home to landmarks such as Persepolis, Naghsh-e Jahan Square, and the Nasir al-Mulk Mosque — has traditionally struggled to attract international tourists due to political tensions and visa restrictions. In recent years, Iranian authorities have sought to reverse this trend by simplifying visa procedures and promoting tourism.

Those efforts have been overshadowed by widespread unrest. For nearly three weeks, Iran has been gripped by mass protests, widely described as the largest seen in more than a decade. The demonstrations were initially triggered by a sharp fall in the national currency but quickly evolved into broader political protests calling for the government’s removal. Several foreign embassies have since advised their citizens to leave the country.

According to reports, the authorities’ crackdown on the protests has resulted in extremely high casualties. Medical officials across Iran estimate that at least 12,000 people have been killed, with some assessments placing the death toll as high as 20,000. Thousands of protesters have also been detained, although exact figures remain difficult to verify due to internet shutdowns and strict controls on information flows.

By Tamilla Hasanova