On Monday, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain announced they were severing diplomatic relations with Qatar and closing air, sea and land access, a move that has significantly disrupted travel across the Gulf.
The reasons behind the diplomatic break are still being investigated. Media reports indicate that a hacked news item, allegedly spread by outside actors, falsely claimed Qatar supports extremist groups and maintains unusually close ties with Iran. Those reports appear to have precipitated the crisis, though official investigations are ongoing.
The abrupt action created immediate confusion for travelers. Qatar is geographically bordered by Saudi Arabia, the UAE and Bahrain, and those countries have barred flights to and from Qatar’s airspace. Major carriers such as Doha-based Qatar Airways and Dubai-based Emirates suspended services, leaving many passengers stranded at regional airports.
Flights into and out of Doha are now constrained to a reduced air corridor across the Gulf, routing toward Iranian airspace. Qatar Airways announced it has halted services to Saudi Arabia; Emirates and Etihad suspended operations to and from Doha. Passengers scheduled to travel through Hamad International Airport in Doha are strongly advised to contact their airline for the latest status before going to the airport.
To assist affected customers, Qatar Airways indicated it would operate a temporary charter service to transfer passengers from Saudi Arabia via Kuwait (KWI) to Doha. Other regional carriers that cancelled flights to Qatar include FlyDubai, Air Arabia, Saudi Arabian Airlines, Gulf Air and Egyptair.
Airlines have stated they will provide full refunds for unused tickets and complimentary rebooking onto alternate routes or cities for customers affected by cancellations to or from Doha. Travelers should confirm rebooking options, refund procedures and any required documentation directly with their carrier.
At present, there is no clear timeline for how long the travel restrictions and diplomatic rift will last. Travelers to, from or transiting Qatar should check with their airline or travel provider for updates and avoid traveling to the airport without confirmation of their flight status.
Below is contact information for airlines involved in the recent suspensions. Contact your carrier directly for the most current guidance and to arrange refunds or alternative travel plans.
Emirates: Apply for a refund or contact a local office
Etihad: Call 971 2599 0000 or visit the airline’s website
FlyDubai: Call 971 600 544 445 or 974 4 422 7350/51
Air Arabia: Call 971 6 558 0000 or visit the airline’s website
Gulf Air: Call 973 1 737 3737 or visit the airline’s website