ch-aviation
• Hilka Birns
The Treasury Department’s Office of Foreign Assets Control has sanctioned 27 Iranian airlines under Executive Order 13902, alongside 36 third-party enablers. The designations mark Washington’s first action against Iranian carriers since determining on Aug. 24, 2026, that Iran’s aviation sector was subject to sanctions.
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Wizz Air plans to resume 12 Middle Eastern routes this winter, operating them with a mix of Airbus A321neos and longer-range A321XLRs. Abu Dhabi will account for half of the flights, although the low-cost carrier says it does not plan to re-establish a base there.
Oman’s SalamAir will begin twice-weekly flights between Muscat and Copenhagen Kastrup on Nov. 14, 2026, with fifth-freedom rights allowing the carrier to sell the Copenhagen-Baghdad sector. The route expands SalamAir’s European footprint while targeting strong demand between Denmark and Iraq.
High activity
Qatar Airways reported a $1.94 billion profit after carrying 41.8 million passengers, while advancing a potential Boeing agreement covering as many as 210 widebody aircraft. The airline also highlighted a maintenance hub with approximately $4 billion in assets and inventory supporting nearly 600 daily flights.
High activity
The Treasury Department’s Office of Foreign Assets Control has sanctioned 27 Iranian airlines under Executive Order 13902, alongside 36 third-party enablers. The designations mark Washington’s first action against Iranian carriers since determining on Aug. 24, 2026, that Iran’s aviation sector was subject to sanctions.
High activity
An Iranian ballistic missile attack on Muwaffaq Salti Air Base reportedly caused significant damage to a U.S. A-10 Thunderbolt II, including the loss of a wing, and lighter damage to approximately eight F-15E Strike Eagles. The incident underscores the operational exposure of forward-deployed aircraft in the region.
Russia is using the 2026 El Alamein International Airshow in Egypt to promote the export Su-57E, S-71 drones, drone-like missiles, upgraded Ka-52 helicopters and air-defense systems, including the ZAK-30 Citadel. The showcase comes as the Su-57’s operational effectiveness remains difficult to establish publicly.
Turkey’s state-owned defense manufacturer MKE has established Zafer in Egypt, with all shares owned by MKE, General Manager Ilhami Keles said at the Al-Alamein airshow. The venture marks MKE’s first company in Egypt and expands its local corporate presence in a strategically important defense market.
High fuel costs and extended route disruptions tied to the Middle East conflict are increasing pressure on airlines, with the effects potentially extending beyond near-term schedule changes. Carriers may need to reassess routes and operations if elevated costs and airspace constraints persist.
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