Qatar Airways begins limited relief flights to evacuate passengers stranded in the Middle East amid ongoing airspace closures and flight disruptions.
Qatar Airways Launches Relief Flights (Source: Linkedin)
Israel-Iran-US War Latest News: Qatar Airways has announced that it will operate a small number of relief flights starting today to help passengers stranded in the Middle East, as commercial air services remain largely suspended due to the ongoing airspace closure. Flights will operate from Muscat in Oman to London Heathrow, Berlin, Copenhagen, Madrid, Rome, and Amsterdam, and from Riyadh to Frankfurt. The Qatar Civil Aviation Authority has kept its airspace closed since Saturday, with Qatar Airways promising further updates on Friday.
Airlines in the region, including Emirates and Etihad Airways, have suspended regular services following the escalation of conflict between the US and Israel against Iran, involving missiles and drones that threaten safe passage. Tens of thousands of passengers remain stranded, and over 23,000 scheduled flights have been canceled since the conflict began.
The Middle East, home to some of the world’s busiest flight routes such as Dubai International Airport, has seen most aircraft grounded. Many planes are stranded far from their hubs, in locations like China and Australia, creating logistical challenges for airlines.
Oman and Saudi Arabia have become key evacuation points, as flights from these countries remain operational. Several nations, including Germany, the UK, and Italy, have sent planes to help bring their citizens back home safely.
Qatar Airways has advised travelers not to go to airports unless informed about the specific relief flights being offered. While some evacuation flights have already been conducted by Emirates, normal services remain suspended.
