Qatar Airways has decided to temporarily suspend flights to and from Doha following the closure of the Qatari airspace. Flights will be resumed once the airspace closure is lifted, said the airline in a statement on X.The airline noted that delays and other disruptions may still occur even after the operations restart. It is working closely with the government authorities and relevant stakeholders and will be employing additional staff at the Hamad International Airport and other major airports to assist affected passengers once operations resume. Meanwhile, Emirates has also temporarily suspended operations to and from Dubai due to multiple airspace closures. The airline stated that it will support passengers through rebooking options, refunds and alternative travel arrangements.

Regional aviation disruptions

The decision followed after the United States and Israel launched military strikes on Iran, leading to a global aviation emergency across the Middle East. Numerous airlines have closed routes and cancelled flights, leaving thousands of passengers stranded and international travel disrupted. Doha’s Hamad International Airport is one of the world’s busiest transit hubs, connecting flights between Asia, Europe, and North America.However, due to the rising geopolitical tension in the Middle Eastern landscape, airlines worldwide have responded with flight cancellations. From single-day cancellations to week-long suspensions, airlines said they are closely monitoring the evolving security situation and are prepared to make further adjustments as needed. For now, as tensions remain high and airspace stays restricted, global aviation remains on alert, with airlines, airports and travellers all waiting for the skies over the Middle East to reopen.