Iran has Greek airline cancel Israel flights

Iran’s Civil Aviation Organization (CAO) has warned a Greek airline to cancel planned flights between Tehran and Tel Aviv after media reports that the Aegean had established an indirect route between the two cities. 

Iran does not recognize Israel and the largest Greek airline’s move prompted the CAO to write immediately to the Aegean representative in Tehran “to announce its strongest protest”, the Fars news agency reported Monday.

“In its written warning, the Civil Aviation Organization demanded that (Aegean) Airlines delete the fake name of Tel Aviv from its sales system in Iran,” CAO’s public relations head Mohammad Rahimi said.

“Launching a flight route from Tehran to any airport in the Occupied Territories is against the laws of the Islamic Republic of Iran,” Rahimi said in reference to Israel.

The official made it clear that the Iranian law also bans sales of tickets for indirect flights to Israel.

“The (Greek) airline has been told to cancel its plans as soon as possible and make a report to the CAO,” Rahimi said, adding the Aegean’s representative had been summoned for explanation.

Aegean Airlines launched service between Athens and Tehran last month, operating three weekly flights with Airbus A320 aircraft.

Israeli media, citing an Aegean official, said the Greek airline had confirmed to have received the warning.

“While seeking clarification on the issue with the concerned authorities, AEGEAN has removed the fares from THR (Tehran) to TLV (Tel Aviv) which indeed had been filed for travel via Athens,” the official said.