Return tourism trips have been closed between the Persian and Eurasian countries due to the spread of a new variant of the pathogen in Ottoman territory, although flights between the two countries are still available for the time being

Iran cancels tourist visits to Turkey due to the spread of the coronavirus

AFP/FAYEZ NURELDINE - Turkish Airlines Office

Raúl Redondo

07 de abril de 2021 (13:14 h.)

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All tourist flights back and forth between Iran and Turkey have been cancelled due to the spread of a new variant of the coronavirus by decision of the Persian authorities.

According to the Tehran Times, the secretary of the Association of Iranian Airlines reportedly announced the suspension due to the spread of COVID-19 in the Eurasian nation and the spread of a new version of the pathogen.

The head of Iran's airline representative body reportedly reported this situation, while, according to Tehran Times, the Interior Ministry itself and the National Headquarters for Coronavirus Control reportedly indicated that tourist visits to Turkey have been cancelled until further notice, IRNA also reported. However, flights between Iran and Turkey remain on schedule, as official Maqsoud Asadi Samani said.

Earlier this week, the official announced that there are no plans at this time to suspend flights to and from Turkey. He added that airlines flying to Turkey will immediately stop service if the National Coronavirus Control Headquarters votes to suspend them. "Flights to Turkey are continuing, and so far all have been carried out as scheduled," Maqsoud Asadi Samani said.

The official noted that there were no plans to suspend flights to Turkey at this time due to the increase in coronavirus cases, but warned of possible further measures to control the COVID-19 outbreak at the common border. "If the National Committee announces the flight suspension plan, airline flights to Turkey will be cancelled," he said.

Considering the spread of the mutated coronavirus in Turkey, it is necessary to stop, within the next 48 hours, land and air border travel to and from Turkey for a week, officials said.

"Iranian citizens who are in Turkey and intend to return to the country, as well as Turkish citizens who are in Iran, can leave the country by observing relevant protocols and taking the PCR test to ensure that the infection does not spread," according to Persian authorities, as reported by the Tehran Times. For Iranians entering the country from land and air borders, quarantine is also required for suspected or positive cases.

Currently, there are more than 10 daily flights between Iran and two Turkish cities from Imam Khomeini airport and 3 other airports in the country, as reported by AviationPros.