The diplomatic row between Qatar and its neighbours has escalated with Saudi Arabia closing its airspace to Qatar Airways.
Saudi Arabia along with the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Egypt, Libya, Yemen and the Maldives have all broken off diplomatic ties with Qatar over alleged links to terrorist activities – claims that have been denied by the Qatari government.
This has led to airlines, including Emirates, Etihad, Flydubai, Gulf Air and Air Arabia, suspending flights to the Qatari capital Doha from today (June 6).
Saudi Arabia has ordered all of Qatar Airways’ offices to close within 48 hours and revoked the airline’s licences in the country. It has also banned its citizens from travelling to Qatar and told Qatari nationals that they have two weeks to leave the country.
Qatar Airways said it had suspended all flights to Saudi Arabia, UAE, Bahrain and Egypt “until further notice”.
“All customers booked on affected flights will be provided with alternative options, including the option of a full refund on any unused tickets and free rebooking to the nearest alternative Qatar Airways network destination,” said the airline in a statement.
Qatar Airways also contracted Oman Air to operate three charter flights today (June 6) from Jeddah to Muscat to pick up passengers who were then flown on a Qatar Airways’ flight back to Doha.