Iran’s civil aviation authority announced that passenger services will restart from several war‑damaged hubs, including Tehran’s Imam Khomeini International Airport and Mehrabad, after nearly two months of airspace closure. Flights from Mashhad already resumed this week, and officials said six airports will reopen on Saturday, down from an earlier list of ten. The move aims to restore transport links for business travelers and aid regional commerce.

Deputy head Hamid Reza Sanei told state TV that runways and control towers suffered hits, yet most damage is repairable. Four towers were directly struck and 12 civilian radars disabled, while fifteen passenger aircraft were destroyed and another batch damaged. Roughly 20% of Iran’s operational fleet was taken out of service, tightening an already fragile aviation sector.

Industry insiders warn that the fleet, already aging due to sanctions, may struggle to meet safety standards after the strikes. The Association of Iranian Airlines estimates only about 150 of the 250‑300 aircraft were serviceable before the conflict, leaving airlines scrambling for parts and spare capacity. Reopening airports therefore hinges on rapid repairs and could strain cash‑flow for carriers.