More European airlines stop flights to Iran

In light of US sanctions against Iranian oil exports expected to take effect on November 4, Iran on Thursday received a new blow after three European airline companies announced they are halting flights to Tehran.

Air France said on Thursday that it would stop flights from Paris to Tehran starting September 18 because of “the line’s weak performance.”

AFP on Thursday reported that the air company was halting its flights due to poor commercial prospects linked to US sanctions against Iran.

Passengers representing the automobile, energy and nuclear sectors "weren't on our flights," spokesman Cedric Landais said, adding that tourism alone was not sufficient to keep Air France on the Paris-Tehran route.

The announcement from Air France, which had run connections to Tehran via its low-cost operator Joon, came after British Airways said it was suspending flights to the Iranian capital.

The flagship British carrier announced that its last flight from London to Tehran would be on September 22, with a return flight the following day, saying: "The operation is currently not commercially viable."

Dutch airline KLM last month announced the suspension of flights to Iran effective September 18, citing "negative results and financial outlook."

German airline Lufthansa said it had no plans to stop flying to Tehran.

“We are closely monitoring the developments ... For the time being, Lufthansa will continue to fly to Tehran as scheduled and no changes are envisaged,” it said in an emailed statement, according to Reuters.

Meanwhile, Iranian supreme leader Ali Khamenei appointed on Thursday Rear Admiral Alireza Tangsiri as the new commander of the Navy of the Iranian Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC).