Qatar Airways to operate Middle East relief flights to Europe

Qatar Airways has confirmed it will start a “limited number” of relief flights to Europe from today (Thursday) while its main operation remains suspended.

 

The repatriation flights would operate “to support passengers who are stranded due to the currrent situation across the region”.    

 

Flights are planned from Muscat to Heathrow, Berlin, Copenhagen, Madrid, Rome and Amsterdam as well as from Riyadh to Frankfurt.

 

The airline said it will contact affected passengers directly with their assigned flight details, travel arrangements and next steps.

 

Qatar Airways’ main schedule remains suspended due to the ongoing closure of Qatari airspace, with the airline due to provide a further update on when operations will resume by 9am tomorrow local time.

 

The disclosure came amid reports that a UK government charter flight due to take off from Muscat in Oman on Wednesday had been delayed by 24 hours.    

 

British Airways flights to London from Muscat today, tomorrow and on Saturday are already fully booked with the airline continuing to review the situation.

 

“If we are able to, we will add additional services,” BA said while confirming that it remains unable to operate flights from Abu Dhabi, Amman, Bahrain, Doha, Dubai and Tel Aviv.  

 

In a Middle East airspace travel update, Virgin Atlantic said: "Following extensive and ongoing safety and security assessments, and in line with guidance from international aviation authorities, we intend to operate our flying programme as planned, provided it remains safe to do so.

 

"We continue to monitor the situation closely and will make changes at short notice if required.

 

"Some flights are currently operating on adjusted routings, which may result in slightly longer flight times.

 

“Our teams are actively reviewing all available options and planning next steps to support customers as soon as conditions allow, while ensuring safety remains our absolute priority."

 

Emirates is operating a limited Dubai flight schedule from today (Thursday) until 11.59pm UAE time on March 7, due to airspace closures across the region.

 

The airline said: “We are accommodating customers with earlier bookings as a priority on these limited flights. Customers transiting in Dubai will only be accepted for travel if their connecting flight is operating.”

 

Etihad Airways flights from Abu Dhabi remain suspended until 6am local time on March 7.

 

However, a “limited number” of repositioning, cargo and repatriation flights are operating in co-ordination with UAE authorities and subject to “strict operational and safety approvals”.

 

Select services are available for travel yesterday and today, where approvals have been confirmed.

 

Saudia Airlines said flights to and from Amman, Kuwait, Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Doha, Bahrain and Peshawar have been cancelled due to the evolving situation in the region and airspace closures. The cancellations are effective until 11.59pm on March 6.

 

El Al is planning recovery flights following the gradual reopening of Ben-Gurion Airport in Tel Aviv for inbound services to Israel.

 

The first flight was due from Athens early today with one from Luton this evening as part of a plan to return travellers to Israel.

 

The airline stressed that it will continue to operate in accordance with government guidelines.