Turkish Authorities Seize Iranian Passenger Jet at Istanbul Airport Over Unpaid Debt

A court-ordered enforcement team seized a Caspian Airlines Boeing 737 at Istanbul Airport over an approximately €3 million debt owed to aviation services company ACM Temsil Gözetim. The aircraft, registered EP-KPB, was preparing to fly to Iran when officers stopped its departure and ordered passengers and crew to return to the terminal, canceling the flight. The seizure comes amid mounting financial and operational pressures on Iranian airlines, including US sanctions that have restricted their access to aircraft, maintenance, and international services.
Caspian Airlines was founded in 1993 and operates as part of Iran's state aviation group.
The article reports that the US Treasury announced sanctions on 27 Iranian airlines and nine related service providers on September 8 under Operation Economic Outcast, warning that foreign companies serving the carriers could also face sanctions.
Following the secondary sanctions, Iranian carriers reportedly had flights suspended in Iraq, the UAE, Azerbaijan and Oman; Mahan Air also suspended its services to Turkey and Oman.
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