Travel Chaos as Qatar Airways Suspends All Doha Flights
Qatar Airways has suspended all flights to and from its hub in Doha following the closure of Qatari airspace, a move triggered by a major combat operation confirmed by Donald Trump against Iran. The decision has led to widespread travel disruption, with flights from multiple UK and European airports being diverted or returning to their points of origin.
Immediate Diversions and Impact on Passengers
On Saturday morning, flights from Birmingham, Edinburgh, Manchester, Dublin, and Heathrow all returned to their starting points as the airspace closure took effect. This suspension comes in response to escalating military actions in the Middle East, with Iran and Iraq closing their airspaces after reported explosions in Bahrain, the UAE, Jordan, and Qatar. The UAE and Bahrain host US military bases, adding to the regional tensions.
In a statement posted on X, formerly Twitter, Qatar Airways said: "Qatar Airways Group confirms the temporary suspension of its flights to, and from, Doha due to the closure of Qatari airspace. The airline is working closely with government stakeholders and the relevant authorities to support impacted passengers and will resume operations when the airspace re-opens." The airline has deployed additional ground staff at Hamad International Airport and other key airports to assist affected travellers, emphasising that safety is the highest priority.
Widespread Disruption Across Global Routes
Doha is a major aviation hub, second only to Dubai in terms of flight and passenger volume. The suspension affects thousands of British passengers, including those returning from destinations in Asia, Australasia, and Africa. Specific diversions include inbound flights from Colombo and Dhaka landing in Muscat, Oman, while services from Chicago and Boston have diverted to Cairo and Athens, respectively.
Flights from Continental European airports have also been impacted, with departures from cities such as Berlin, Brussels, Zurich, Vienna, Warsaw, Barcelona, Stockholm, Copenhagen, Dusseldorf, Paris, Milan, and Madrid returning to their origins. The airline anticipates delays once operations resume, apologising for any inconvenience caused to passengers.
This is a developing news story, with further updates expected as the situation in the Middle East continues to evolve.
