Yesterday the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Egypt and Saudi Arabia have unilaterally cut all diplomatic ties with the country of Qatar. All land and sea contracts have been suspended, it’s not sure that the closure is with immediate effect or within 24-48 hours. Bahrain blamed Qatar’s “media incitement, support for armed terrorist activities and funding linked to Iranian groups to carry out sabotage and spreading chaos in Bahrain”.
Qatari citizens will be expelled from Bahrain within fourteen days, but the United Arab Emirates has given Qatari diplomats two days to leave the country.
As the airspace is now restricted from any Qatari overflight, it’s a very hard blow for Qatar Airways, the airlines have to check for alternative airways to continue flights. One option to fly West (to Europe and the United States) is via Iran, Iraq then Jordan, another option would be via Iran then Turkey. But significantly increasing the flight times.
Update: looks like flights between Qatar and Jordan are now totally impossible:
Forum discussion: http://www.luchtzak.be/forums/viewtopic.php?f=7&t=61621
Saudia Airlines has already cancelled its flight between Doha and Saudi Arabia. Egyptair and FlyDubai as well. Etihad Airways will suspend Abu Dhabi – Doha from tomorrow.
From the evening of 5 June 2017, Etihad Airways will suspend all flights to and from Doha until further notice.
The last flight from Abu Dhabi to Doha will depart as EY391 at 21:35 (local time) on 5 June.
The last flight from Doha to Abu Dhabi will depart as EY398 at 22:50 (local time) on 5 June.
The aircraft for these flights has been upgraded to a Boeing 777.?
All customers who are booked on Etihad Airways flights to and from Doha are being provided with alternative options, including full refunds on unused tickets and free rebooking to the nearest alternate Etihad Airways destinations. Detailed information is available by calling the Etihad Airways Contact Centre on +971 (0) 2599 0000, or by visiting? etihad.com.
Any further changes to the status of flight schedules to Doha will be communicated through the appropriate channels.
Etihad Airways regrets any inconvenience caused as a result of the suspension.
Emirates will suspend flights to and from Doha from June 6 (Tuesday).
As instructed by the UAE government, Emirates will suspend its flights to and from Doha, starting from the morning of 6 June 2017, until further notice.
The last flight from Dubai to Doha will depart as EK847 at 02:30am on 6 June. The last flight from Doha to Dubai will depart as EK848 at 03:50am on 6 June.
Emirates’ flights to and from Doha today (5 June), will operate as normal. Travellers bound for Doha, who are boarding their flight from airports around the Emirates network today (5 June), will be advised to make alternative arrangements.
All customers booked on Emirates’ flights to and from Doha will be provided with alternative options, including full refunds on unused tickets and free rebooking to the nearest alternate Emirates destinations.
Qatar has now suspended all flights between Doha and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
Qatar Airways has suspended all flights to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia until 23:59 UTC on 05th June (02.59 Doha Time on 6th June). Please check this page regularly for further flight updates.
For passengers with existing bookings, please call +974 4023 0072 or contact your nearest Qatar Airways office: https://www.qatarairways.com/en/contact-us.html
#Qatar is blocked. Only flights out will have to be through Iran, Iraq, Jordan into Mideast. Or Iran, Turkey into EU. pic.twitter.com/KFPwAVYNwg
— Joyce Karam (@Joyce_Karam) June 5, 2017
