Turkey’s air travel network is facing fresh disruption as Pegasus Airlines and Iran National Airlines Corp. have suspended a combined 14 flights and triggered more than 100 delays, snarling operations at Istanbul’s main gateways and stranding thousands of passengers on January 31, 2026.

The turmoil underscores how regional instability and operational constraints are once again converging on one of the world’s busiest aviation crossroads.

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What Happened in Istanbul’s Skies Today

The latest disruption centers on services operated by Turkey’s low cost carrier Pegasus Airlines and Iran National Airlines Corp., an Iranian state linked carrier, affecting routes between Istanbul and multiple destinations in Iran and across the wider region. According to operational data reported by aviation and travel industry outlets on Saturday, 14 flights involving the two airlines were suspended, while knock on effects rippled through schedules, generating more than 100 delays at Istanbul’s airports.

The bulk of the impact has been felt at Istanbul Airport and Istanbul Sabiha Gokcen International Airport, the twin hubs that together handle tens of millions of passengers each year. While the suspended flights represent a fraction of daily movements, the timing and concentration of the cancellations have magnified their effect, leading to rolling delays across departure and arrival banks and congestion in terminal areas at peak hours.

Ground handling staff at both airports have been forced to juggle last minute gate changes and aircraft rotations as airlines seek to reposition planes and crews. Airport information boards on Saturday showed clusters of delayed services on regional routes, particularly those connecting Turkey with Iran and neighboring countries, as well as secondary cities within Turkey that depend heavily on Pegasus for point to point traffic.

Travelers interviewed at Istanbul’s terminals described scenes of long queues at check in counters and customer service desks, where passengers sought rebooking options and clarification on whether their flights would operate. Some reported waiting several hours for updates amid fast changing conditions and limited information from call centers and digital channels.

How Pegasus and Iran National Airlines Corp. Became the Focal Point

Pegasus Airlines, headquartered on the Asian side of Istanbul, has grown into one of Turkey’s largest carriers by offering aggressive fares and high frequency links from Sabiha Gokcen to domestic and international destinations. Its extensive network into the Middle East and the Caucasus has made it a critical connector for regional travelers, but it has also exposed the airline to operational shocks linked to weather, geopolitical events and airspace restrictions.

In recent weeks, Pegasus has already contended with adverse winter weather that forced the cancellation of multiple flights from Sabiha Gokcen earlier in January, following restrictions imposed by meteorological authorities during heavy snow and strong winds. Those weather related disruptions led to targeted cancellations on January 1 and January 12, primarily impacting services to eastern and southeastern Turkish cities, and contributed to a backlog of passengers seeking alternative departures.

Iran National Airlines Corp., often referred to in industry references as a national flag carrier for Iran, has meanwhile been navigating a fraught operating environment as protests, economic pressure and security concerns intensify across the country. Carriers serving Iranian destinations have been particularly sensitive to changing risk assessments, with several international airlines in recent weeks suspending or reducing services to Iranian cities after travel advisories flagged elevated threats and communications blackouts complicated routine flight operations.

The combination of Pegasus’ regional reach and Iran National Airlines Corp.’s core presence on routes to and from Iran has made their schedules especially vulnerable. When the two airlines opted to suspend 14 affected flights on Saturday, capacity on key corridors was suddenly reduced, compressing demand onto remaining services and triggering a cascade of knock on delays as aircraft and crews were reassigned or held back from potentially volatile routes.

Regional Tensions and Safety Concerns Behind Flight Suspensions

The immediate catalyst behind many of the recent disruptions is a spike in unrest inside Iran, where protests over the soaring cost of living have escalated since early January. Turkish carriers had already responded earlier in the month, with Turkish Airlines and Pegasus canceling flights to Iranian cities such as Tehran, Mashhad and Tabriz as demonstrations spread and Iranian authorities imposed extensive internet and communications restrictions.

International aviation regulators and safety agencies have also increased scrutiny of Iranian airspace, citing the risk posed by heightened military activity and the potential activation of air defense systems. Notices to air missions, or NOTAMs, have advised operators to take additional precautions or consider rerouting aircraft around areas of concern, raising insurance and operational costs and complicating flight planning for carriers that traditionally rely on Iranian airspace as a transit corridor.

For airlines like Pegasus and Iran National Airlines Corp., whose business models depend on high aircraft utilization and tight turnaround times, the combination of security risks, communications uncertainty and potential diversion or holding scenarios can quickly render certain routes commercially and operationally untenable. Industry analysts note that suspending a limited number of flights can sometimes be a more prudent option than operating into an environment where on the ground conditions cannot be reliably monitored or where sudden airspace closures could force expensive diversions.

The wider industry has been watching developments closely since mid January, when Turkish Airlines joined Gulf carriers such as Emirates, Qatar Airways, Flydubai and Etihad in announcing suspensions or reductions of flights to Iran amid what they described as explosive protests and heightened security concerns. Saturday’s targeted halts by Pegasus and Iran National Airlines Corp. fit into that pattern, underlining how quickly conditions in one country can reverberate across international networks.

Impact on Istanbul’s Airports and Passenger Experience

Istanbul’s dual airport system has long been a point of pride for Turkey, transforming the city into a global hub that connects Europe, Asia, the Middle East and Africa. Yet its very success has also made it highly susceptible to disruption. With tight scheduling and heavy reliance on banked arrivals and departures, even a modest number of cancellations or late departures can cause bottlenecks that take hours to resolve.

On Saturday, more than 100 flights were reported delayed as the suspension of 14 services forced reconfigurations of stand assignments and slot usage. Some aircraft arriving late from disrupted routes had to wait for available gates, while turnarounds for onward flights slipped beyond their scheduled departure times. Airlines also needed to accommodate displaced passengers, many of whom were rebooked onto already busy flights later in the day or on the following days.

Terminal congestion was particularly acute at Sabiha Gokcen, where Pegasus operates a dense schedule of short haul flights. The airport has faced its own challenges over the past year, including a runway skid incident that previously led to hundreds of delays, underscoring how sensitive the facility is to any breakdown in routine operations. While no safety incidents have been reported in connection with Saturday’s turmoil, the memory of earlier disruptions has sharpened calls for more resilient infrastructure and contingency planning.

Passengers have reported mixed experiences in obtaining clear information. Some travelers received timely notifications through mobile apps and airline websites, allowing them to delay their trip to the airport or adjust plans. Others said they arrived unaware that their flights had been suspended, only discovering the change at self service kiosks or check in counters and facing long waits to speak with frontline staff already overwhelmed by the surge in inquiries.

Economic and Tourism Repercussions for Turkey

The latest wave of flight suspensions comes at a delicate moment for Turkey’s tourism and aviation sectors, which have been striving to consolidate a rebound following the pandemic and a series of earlier geopolitical shocks. Istanbul’s position as a transit hub has been central to that recovery, with carriers leveraging the city’s strategic location to capture transfer traffic between Europe, the Middle East, Central Asia and beyond.

Repeated episodes of disruption, whether driven by regional tensions, winter storms or operational incidents, risk eroding traveler confidence and pushing some passengers to route journeys through alternative hubs. While Saturday’s cancellations and delays are modest compared to large scale shutdowns in previous years, industry observers warn that the cumulative effect of frequent disturbances can weigh on airline yields and airport revenues.

Tour operators and incoming travel agencies reported a fresh spate of itinerary adjustments as clients transiting through Istanbul were forced to reroute or accept longer journey times. For visitors planning short city breaks or business trips tightly scheduled around meetings and events, even a few hours of delay can render itineraries unworkable, leading to lost bookings for hotels, restaurants and local attractions.

Domestic connectivity is also at stake. Pegasus plays a vital role in linking Istanbul to secondary and regional cities across Turkey, often providing the most affordable and frequent options for residents and small businesses. When services are suspended or significantly delayed, economic activity in those communities can temporarily slow as cargo shipments are postponed, business travelers miss connections, and local tourism flows are interrupted.

What Airlines and Authorities Are Doing to Restore Order

Airline operations control centers at Pegasus and Iran National Airlines Corp. have spent the day recalibrating schedules, seeking to restore as much regularity as possible while maintaining what they describe as a conservative stance on routes affected by security and communications concerns. Priority has been given to aircraft positioning flights that are essential to stabilizing the broader network and to services carrying large numbers of transfer passengers who risk missing onward connections.

Airport management at Istanbul Airport and Sabiha Gokcen has coordinated with air traffic control and security authorities to manage slot allocation and ensure that arrival and departure flows remain safe and orderly despite the irregular operations. Additional staff were deployed in terminal areas during peak hours to assist passengers with wayfinding, rebooking and accommodation queries, although the suddenness of the flight suspensions limited how far contingency plans could be scaled up.

Government agencies in Turkey are closely monitoring the evolving situation in Iran and the broader region, with officials emphasizing that passenger safety remains the overriding priority. While no formal ban on flights to Iran from Turkish airports has been announced, airlines are operating under guidance that encourages conservative risk assessments and compliance with international safety advisories.

Industry sources suggest that carriers will continue to review their Iran related schedules on a rolling basis, adjusting capacity as more information becomes available about conditions on the ground and in the airspace. For passengers, this means that short notice changes are likely to remain a feature of travel on these routes in the coming days, making flexible planning and real time monitoring of flight status essential.

What Travelers Need to Know Before Flying Through Istanbul

For travelers with upcoming itineraries that include Istanbul, especially those connecting to or from Iranian cities or nearby destinations, experts recommend adopting a more cautious approach to trip planning. Passengers are advised to monitor airline communications closely in the 24 to 48 hours before departure, paying particular attention to notifications about schedule changes, equipment swaps and route suspensions.

Travel agents and corporate travel managers are urging clients to allow longer connection times through Istanbul to accommodate potential delays, and to consider booking tickets that offer greater flexibility for date and routing changes. For those traveling for time sensitive reasons, such as business meetings, medical appointments or events, contingency plans including alternative routing via other regional hubs may be prudent, even if they involve slightly higher costs or longer total journey times.

Travel insurance has also emerged as a key consideration. Policies that specifically cover travel disruption due to political unrest, airspace closures and security advisories can provide an important financial buffer when flights are suspended or rerouted. Passengers are encouraged to read policy terms carefully to understand what kinds of events and costs are covered, including hotel stays, meals and alternative transport arrangements.

At the airport, early arrival remains one of the simplest mitigations. Given the possibility of last minute gate changes and the need for additional security checks on certain routes, arriving well ahead of departure can reduce stress and increase the likelihood of securing a seat on alternative flights if needed. Travelers should also ensure they have updated contact details in airline booking systems so that text messages and app alerts reach them promptly.

FAQ

Q1. Which airlines are at the center of today’s disruptions in Turkey?
Pegasus Airlines and Iran National Airlines Corp. are the primary carriers involved, having suspended a combined 14 flights and contributed to more than 100 delays affecting operations at Istanbul’s main airports.

Q2. How many flights have been suspended and delayed in Istanbul?
A total of 14 flights operated by Pegasus and Iran National Airlines Corp. have been suspended, while knock on effects across the network have led to over 100 delayed departures and arrivals.

Q3. Which airports in Istanbul are most affected?
Both Istanbul Airport on the European side and Istanbul Sabiha Gokcen International Airport on the Asian side have experienced disruptions, with Sabiha Gokcen particularly impacted due to Pegasus’s high frequency operations there.

Q4. What is causing these flight suspensions and delays?
The disruptions stem from a mix of regional instability in Iran, heightened safety and airspace concerns, and the operational challenges of rerouting or suspending services at short notice on already busy networks.

Q5. Are flights between Turkey and Iran being canceled more broadly?
Yes. In recent weeks several airlines, including Turkish carriers and major Gulf and European airlines, have reduced or suspended flights to Iranian cities in response to protests, security warnings and communications blackouts.

Q6. How are passengers being assisted at Istanbul’s airports?
Airlines and airport authorities have deployed additional staff to help with rebooking, information and accommodation, while digital channels and mobile apps are being used to notify passengers of cancellations and schedule changes.

Q7. What should I do if I am scheduled to fly with Pegasus or Iran National Airlines Corp. soon?
Travelers should check their flight status frequently via airline apps or customer service channels, allow extra time at the airport, and be prepared for possible rebooking or rerouting, especially on routes involving Iran.

Q8. Does travel insurance cover this type of disruption?
Some travel insurance policies do cover disruptions linked to political unrest, security incidents and airspace closures, but coverage varies, so passengers should review policy details carefully or consult their insurer before departure.

Q9. Are domestic flights inside Turkey also affected?
Yes, to an extent. Because Pegasus operates many domestic routes from Istanbul, changes to its international operations can affect aircraft availability, leading to delays or schedule adjustments on certain domestic services.

Q10. How long are these disruptions expected to last?
The situation is fluid and depends largely on developments in Iran and regional security assessments. Airlines are currently reviewing operations day by day, so travelers should expect continued volatility in schedules over the short term.