Turkish Authorities Seize Caspian Airlines Boeing Over Unpaid Debt
A Caspian Airlines Boeing 737-500 was seized at Istanbul Airport on September 28, 2026, due to an unpaid debt of about €3 million claimed by Turkish aviation services company ACM Temsil Gözetim.
The aircraft, registration EP-KPB, was preparing for departure to Iran when lawyers and court enforcement officers arrived with a seizure order. Passengers and crew were removed from the plane, which remained impounded on the apron.
Caspian Airlines acknowledged the situation as a temporary operational restriction due to an administrative issue in Turkey and stated it had taken steps to address the debt. The airline expected the aircraft to return to Iran on Tuesday, but its current status is unknown.
The seizure highlights the challenges faced by Iranian airlines in operating abroad, particularly with decades of sanctions limiting their access to new Western aircraft or genuine spare parts.