Tabriz-Hamburg Flights to Start on July 14

Qeshm Airlines will launch the Tabriz-Hamburg route on July 14, as part of Iran's plans to improve the northwestern Iranian city's global profile ahead of its hosting of tourism ministers from Muslim countries in 2018.

"Planning this route took six months and now it's ready," Mostafa Safaei, the head of East Azarbaijan Province's Airports Company, was quoted as saying in a report on the website of Iran's Airports Company. The route is operated once a week, with flights taking off from Tabriz on Fridays and returning early the next day.

In December 2015, Tabriz was selected as the capital of Islamic tourism in 2018 by the Organization of Islamic Cooperation. To ensure Tabriz’s hospitality will live up to its status, a taskforce comprising five ministries and Iran’s Cultural Heritage, Handicrafts and Tourism Organization has been formed to oversee preparations.

The capital of the northwestern province of East Azarbaijan, Tabriz predates the Islamic conquest of Persia. It served as the capital city of a number of dynasties following the conquest.

During its long history, the city was ransacked by Mongolian raiders and Ottoman invaders and razed by devastating earthquakes, but was rebuilt every time.

The city hosts famous religious sites, including Jame’ Mosque of Tabriz and Arg of Tabriz, and Bazaar of Tabriz has been designated the UNESCO World Heritage Site. In 2015, Tabriz was declared a World Craft City by the World Craft Council.