US sanctions leave Iranians facing flight cancellations and soaring costs

In late September, travellers could still fly directly from Tehran to Dubai in less than three hours, with a ticket costing between $100 and $200. Less than a month later, it can take up to 18 hours to make the same journey and cost more than $1,000. The change is the result of a new round of United States sanctions targeting Iranian airlines and foreign companies providing them with services. The restrictions intensified after a September 23 deadline for companies to stop servicing Iranian carriers, leading to the suspension of direct flights between Iran and the United Arab Emirates, as well as a number of other countries. The United States has sought to block routes into and out of Iran and, more broadly, restrict access to the country.