After security audits and talks with Iran’s Civil Aviation Organization, Lufthansa confirmed on 27 November that it will resume thrice-weekly FRA-IKA services from 16 January 2026. The German flag-carrier pulled out of Iran in October 2024 amid EU sanctions and regional tensions, briefly returning in March 2025 before another pause. The latest decision follows on-site inspections by Lufthansa’s regional management and aviation-security chiefs this month.
The restored route re-establishes a critical air bridge for German exporters, Mittelstand suppliers and Iranian-German dual nationals. Frankfurt is Iran’s primary EU hub for medical-technology imports and automotive spares; cargo capacity is expected to operate on Airbus A330s with 12 tonnes belly-hold space.
![Lufthansa to restart Frankfurt–Tehran flights on 16 January 2026]()
Business-travel managers should note that EU and US sanctions on certain sectors remain in force; travellers must check compliance screening for goods and software carried. Ticket inventory opens next week, with economy fares currently priced from €749 return. German insurance providers still classify Iran as a heightened-risk destination, so enhanced coverage may be required.
For global-mobility programmes, the resumption simplifies rotation planning for German engineers supporting petrochemical and rail projects under humanitarian-trade carve-outs. However, political volatility means contingency routing via Istanbul or Doha should remain in emergency plans.
The restored route re-establishes a critical air bridge for German exporters, Mittelstand suppliers and Iranian-German dual nationals. Frankfurt is Iran’s primary EU hub for medical-technology imports and automotive spares; cargo capacity is expected to operate on Airbus A330s with 12 tonnes belly-hold space.
Business-travel managers should note that EU and US sanctions on certain sectors remain in force; travellers must check compliance screening for goods and software carried. Ticket inventory opens next week, with economy fares currently priced from €749 return. German insurance providers still classify Iran as a heightened-risk destination, so enhanced coverage may be required.
For global-mobility programmes, the resumption simplifies rotation planning for German engineers supporting petrochemical and rail projects under humanitarian-trade carve-outs. However, political volatility means contingency routing via Istanbul or Doha should remain in emergency plans.
