Archive · 16 Sep 2026
Georgia To Suspend Sanctioned Iranian Airline Flights September 21
Georgia plans to stop flights from some Iranian airlines because the United States has placed sanctions on them.
The airlines currently connect Iran with the Georgian cities of Tbilisi and Batumi.
The change is expected to affect about 10 round trips each week.
Georgia says it is following the international sanctions rules.
The United States says the airlines are linked to transporting weapons, people, or illegal cargo.
Iran’s ambassador said Georgia can make its own decision, but Iran can make its own choices too.
Iranian travel companies have asked for information about what will happen next.
Iranian tourism to Georgia had already fallen sharply before the flight restrictions were announced.
Georgia plans to suspend flights by US-sanctioned Iranian airlines serving Tbilisi and Batumi from September 21.
The restrictions could disrupt about 10 weekly round trips and reduce a remaining direct air link between Iran and Georgia.
Georgia’s Civil Aviation Agency said it would comply with the US sanctions regime and has used sanctions lists previously.
Iranian Ambassador Ali Mojani said Tehran respected Georgia’s independence but reserved the right to make its own choices.
Iranian visitor numbers in Georgia fell 49% year on year in the first half of 2026, while related revenue dropped 65% to $19.9 million.
- Who
- Georgia, the United States, sanctioned Iranian airlines, and Iran’s ambassador to Georgia, Ali Mojani, are involved.
- What
- Georgia plans to suspend flights operated by US-sanctioned Iranian carriers serving Tbilisi and Batumi.
- When
- The restrictions are scheduled to begin September 21, 2026; the US sanctions were announced September 8, 2026.
- Where
- The affected routes connect Iran with Tbilisi and Batumi in Georgia.
- Why
- Georgia says it is complying with the US sanctions regime, while the United States says the targeted aviation sector supports the transport of weapons, personnel, and illicit cargo.
Georgia and United States
Iran
Compliance with sanctions
Georgia and United States
Georgia says it will fully comply with the sanctions regime, while the United States warns companies dealing with sanctioned airlines could lose access to the global financial system.
Iran
Ali Mojani said Iran respected Georgia’s decision as an independent country but emphasized that respecting others’ choices does not mean ignoring Iran’s own choices.
Impact on travel
Georgia and United States
The restrictions are presented as enforcement of sanctions and would affect routes that carry about 10 weekly round trips between Iran and Georgia.
Iran
Iranian officials and tour operators are seeking clarity because the suspension could make travel to Georgia less convenient and affect Iranian visitors.
Basis for the US measures
Georgia and United States
The US Treasury says the targeted aviation sector has been used to transport weapons, personnel, and illicit cargo.
Iran
The Iranian position described in the article does not address those allegations, but signals that Tehran may respond according to its own interests.
- Planned start date
- September 21, 2026
- Affected Georgian cities
- Tbilisi and Batumi
- Estimated weekly service
- About 10 round trips
- US sanctions announcement
- September 8, 2026
- Airlines and providers targeted
- 27 Iranian carriers and nine service providers
- Iranian visitors, first half of 2026
- About 29,300, down 49% year on year
- Visitor revenue, first half of 2026
- $19.9 million, down 65%