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A Pegasus Airlines passenger aircraft that had been stranded in Iran for 52 days due to airspace closures has safely returned to Istanbul’s Sabiha Gokcen International Airport following a carefully coordinated operation.
The Airbus A321neo, named “Elif Mina,” had remained in Tehran since late February after Iran’s airspace was shut down in the aftermath of attacks by the United States and Israel. The closure meant the aircraft could not depart, effectively grounding it abroad for nearly two months.
As conditions began to ease and parts of the airspace reopened, Pegasus Airlines moved to bring the aircraft back, relying on a combination of technical planning and diplomatic coordination to carry out the operation.
The return was carried out through a detailed and multi-layered effort involving several company units. A second aircraft, an Airbus A320 named “Ayda,” was dispatched to accompany the stranded jet, helping ensure the operation could be completed safely.
The aircraft ultimately landed in Istanbul without incident, where it was welcomed by airport staff and senior company executives, including Pegasus CEO Guliz Ozturk. The arrival was marked by applause on the apron, reflecting relief after the prolonged delay.
To minimize risk, the flight followed a northern route after departing Tehran, cruising at an altitude of 38,000 feet. It passed through the airspace of Azerbaijan and Armenia before entering Türkiye over the eastern province of Kars.
The airline emphasized that the route had been selected as the safest available option, with all planning carried out in a controlled and step-by-step manner. The flight itself lasted around three hours.
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