Qatar Airways has reinstated flights as the airspace in the State of Qatar reopens. The airline temporarily suspended its flights due to the closure of air traffic movement, as Iran fired missiles on a US base in Qatar.
The move was a retaliation for America’s bombing of Iran’s nuclear facilities at the weekend.
Hamad International Airport in Qatar’s capital and Dubai International Airport both temporarily closed due to the situation in the region. Kuwait and Bahrain later shut their airspace too.
Not long after Qatar Airways announced it was suspending flights, Qatar said its air defences shot down Iranian missiles targeted at a US airbase in the Gulf State. A US defence official told Business Insider that Iran had launched short-range and medium-range ballistic missiles at Al Udeid Air Base, the US military’s largest Middle East base. Doha said that its air defences thwarted the attack and that no casualties were reported.
Prior to the announcement of Qatar closing its airspace, Singapore Airlines, Air France, British Airways, and Finnair had all cancelled flights to both Doha and nearby Dubai after the US bombed Iranian nuclear facilities on Saturday. Several major airlines including Emirates, Etihad Airways and Turkish Airlines rerouted their flights on Friday as conflict escalated between Israel and Iran.
Travel Disruption
Although the airspace has been reopened, thousands of passengers are now facing travel disruption.
“While Dubai Airports works with airlines to ensure flights operate according to approved schedules, some flights may experience delays or cancellations. Therefore, all travelers are advised to check the latest updates through the airlines they fly to,” the Dubai Media Office said.
In their latest statement, Qatar Airlines airline said it is working closely with government stakeholders and the relevant authorities to support impacted passengers and will resume operations when the airspace reopens.
“Qatar Airways can confirm the reinstatement of flights following the reopening of airspace in the State of Qatar.
“Our focus at this time is to help our passengers return home or reach their onward journey safely and smoothly.
“We are working tirelessly with government stakeholders and the relevant authorities to restore operations as quickly as possible.
We have also deployed additional ground staff at Hamad International Airport and other key airports to assist affected passengers by minimising disruptions and offering the utmost care and support to all customers.
“As operations resume, we anticipate significant delays to our flight schedule. We would advise passengers to check qatarairways.com or the Qatar Airways mobile application ahead of travel.
“The safety of our passengers and crew is the first and highest priority at all times.”
Other airlines affected
Air India has stopped all operations to the Middle East, but also flights to North America’s east coast and Europe. This has included diverting flights already in the air back to their take-off site and away from closed airspaces.
“Amid the developing situation in the Middle East, Air India has ceased all operations to the region as well as to and from the East Coast of North America and Europe with immediate effect, until further notice,” an Air India spokesperson said in a post on X.
They said India-bound flights from North America were being diverted back to their origins.
Additionally, two flights operated by Qatar Airways for Virgin Australia have been diverted on their way to Doha.
Flight VA1 out of Sydney diverted to Bengaluru, India, and VA15 out of Brisbane diverted to Muscat, Oman.
A Virgin Australia spokesperson said both aircraft landed safely. “Guest recovery is being coordinated by Qatar Airways, including support on the ground and assistance with onward travel arrangements,” the statement reads.
British Airways flight 109 was on its way to Dubai during the strikes. Data from Flightradar24 shows it U-turned over Saudi Arabia and diverted to Zurich in a nine-hour journey.
Statement by the Foreign Minister
Foreign Minister Penny Wong released a statement following the missile attacks.
“Australia condemns Iran’s strikes on US bases in Qatar and Iraq,” she said. “We do not want to see further escalation. A full-scale war in the Middle East would be devastating for the people of the region and the world.
“Australia continues to call for de-escalation, dialogue and diplomacy.”
Closure to airspace around transit hubs in the Middle East could impact flights globally, she warned. “Australians travelling should seek updates from their airlines and follow @Smartraveller.”
Smartraveller updated its advice for the Middle East yesterday: “The situation in the Middle East is unpredictable. It could get worse with little warning. Security risks may increase. There may be travel disruptions within the region and globally.”
