Wednesday, September 30, 2026 - A Boeing 737 operated by Iran’s Caspian Airlines was seized at Istanbul Airport after Turkish authorities enforced a court order linked to an unpaid debt of about €3 million ($3.4 million).
The aircraft had already boarded passengers and was preparing to depart for Tehran on Monday when enforcement officials stopped it and ordered passengers and crew off the plane. Turkish authorities described the case as a commercial dispute, while Caspian Airlines said the flight faced temporary operational restrictions related to an administrative issue in Turkey.
The seizure has left passengers facing disruption as the airline works to resolve the dispute. Iranian state television reported that the debt was connected to Istanbul airport services and said the airline had taken administrative steps to address the matter.
Reports said the aircraft was expected to return to Iran after the necessary legal and administrative procedures were completed, although the seizure highlights the growing operational pressures facing Iranian carriers flying internationally.
The incident comes as Iranian airlines face a difficult operating environment, with expanded U.S. sanctions targeting Iran’s aviation sector adding further pressure on international routes and aviation services. Turkey has continued allowing Iranian carriers to operate despite the latest U.S. measures, but some services have already been disrupted.
For passengers, the Istanbul seizure shows how financial and regulatory disputes can quickly turn into flight cancellations, delays and uncertainty at a time when Iran’s international air connections are already under strain.
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