List Of Airports In IranEdit
Iran operates a substantial network of airports that connects a large and diverse country from the plateau in the north to the Persian Gulf in the south. The system plays a key role in commerce, tourism, pilgrimage, and regional development. While most of the oldest air facilities were built during earlier decades, the civil aviation sector has continued to expand, modernize, and respond to demand for faster, more reliable travel. The sector is overseen by the Civil Aviation Organization of Iran and is implemented through the Iran Airports Company, which manages many of the major facilities and coordinates development across the network. Iran Civil Aviation Organization of Iran Iran Airports Company
Major international airports
Imam Khomeini International Airport (Imam Khomeini International Airport) — Tehran area hub located near the capital city, handling the largest portion of international passenger and cargo traffic in the country. It functions as the primary gateway for foreign travel and for long-haul commercial air services. Imam Khomeini International Airport Tehran
Mehrabad International Airport — Historically Tehran’s main international airport, now largely focused on domestic routes and regional flights, while continuing to handle a portion of international traffic and cargo operations. Mehrabad International Airport Tehran
Mashhad International Airport — A major gateway for pilgrims traveling to the holy city of Mashhad and a significant center for international and domestic air travel in the northeast. Mashhad International Airport Khorasan
Isfahan International Airport — Serves central Iran with both domestic and international services and acts as a key regional hub in the central plateau. Isfahan International Airport Isfahan
Shiraz International Airport — A principal southern hub, supporting tourism, commerce, and pilgrimage-related traffic in the Fars region. Shiraz International Airport Fars Province
Tabriz International Airport — Serves the northwest region, linking industrial centers and cross-border travel with neighboring markets. Tabriz International Airport East Azerbaijan Province
Bandar Abbas International Airport — Important for travel to and from southern coastal areas and for freight traffic along the Persian Gulf corridor. Bandar Abbas International Airport Hormozgan Province
Kish Island International Airport — Located on Kish Island in the Persian Gulf, a tourism and business gateway with several international services. Kish International Airport Kish Island
Qeshm Island International Airport — Serves the Qeshm Island region, contributing to regional connectivity and cargo movements in the Strait of Hormuz area. Qeshm Island International Airport Hormozgan Province
Note: The network also includes other dedicated international facilities and a number of smaller airports that handle charter, regional, or seasonal international services. The list above highlights hubs that play a prominent role in cross-border and long-distance travel. Iran Air transport in Iran
Domestic and regional airports
Ahvaz International Airport — Central to the southwestern basin, linking industrial zones and tourism sites across Khuzestan Province. Ahvaz International Airport Khuzestan Province
Rasht Airport — A key gateway to the Caspian littoral, supporting regional travel and freight. Rasht Airport Gilan Province
Urmia Airport — Serves the northwest near the border regions, supporting domestic connectivity and regional commerce. Urmia Airport West Azerbaijan Province
Yazd Airport — Central desert city airport serving domestic routes and regional travel across central Iran. Yazd Airport Yazd Province
Kerman Airport — Serves the southeast, with connections to domestic destinations and surrounding provinces. Kerman Airport Kerman Province
Qom Airport — Located near the capital region to serve central Iran and nearby provinces with domestic routes. Qom Airport Qom Province
Rasht, Amol, and other regional airfields — Smaller facilities play an important role in providing access to less-served areas and enabling tourism, business travel, and emergency services. Regional airports in Iran
Note: The precise list of operational airports and their status can evolve with capital projects, safety upgrades, and changes in service demand. The overarching trend in the domestic network is toward increasing regional accessibility while preserving the core international gateways. Iran Airports Company
Governance, investment, and modernization
The Iranian aviation system rests on two principal institutions: the Civil Aviation Organization of Iran (CAO) and the Iran Airports Company (IAC). The CAO sets safety, security, and regulatory standards, while the IAC operates major airports, coordinates expansion projects, and manages day-to-day operations. The balance between centralized control and attempts to attract private capital is a recurring policy conversation. Advocates argue that smarter capital allocation, competitive procurement, and private participation can boost efficiency, reduce delays, and raise service quality, all while preserving national sovereignty over critical infrastructure. Civil Aviation Organization of Iran Iran Airports Company
Sanctions and international finance constraints have shaped the modernization path for Iranian airports. Procurement of modern navigation systems, air traffic management upgrades, and aircraft maintenance equipment has faced hurdles, making strategic partnerships and domestic innovation more important. Proponents contend that a disciplined reform agenda—focused on governance, cost discipline, and selective private participation—offers clearer pathways to performance gains than broad, state-led expansion alone. Critics sometimes argue that privatization or market-based reforms could risk national control or lead to unequal access; supporters counter that competition and private input are essential to long-term reliability and international competitiveness. Sanctions against Iran Air traffic control Private sector in Iran
Safety, security, and environmental considerations also shape debates about airport expansion. Right-sized growth emphasizes feasibility, local community impacts, and sustainable infrastructure, with emphasis on safety standards and regulatory compliance. In this framing, successful airports become engines of development, trading off some expansion pace for steady, transparent governance and accountable investment. Safety in aviation Environmental impact of airports