Iranian Aviation Reels as Caspian Airlines Plane Seized in Istanbul Debt Dispute

Caspian Airlines' Boeing 737 was seized at Istanbul's airport on Monday, September 28, over a €3 million debt owed to ACM Temsil Gözetim. The seizure occurred just days after US secondary sanctions took effect, halving international flights at Tehran's main airport.

The lawyers and bailiffs representing the creditor arrived as the plane was ready for departure and served the seizure order before it could take off. Passengers and cabin crew were removed from the aircraft and returned to the terminal.

Caspian Airlines is a Tehran-based carrier operating as part of Iran's state aviation group, flying Boeing 737s on domestic and international routes, including to Istanbul.