Latest news with #Doha-bound
Time of India
4 days ago
- Time of India
Only 11 of 180 passengers take flight to Middle East
Kolkata: Only 11 out of 180 passengers booked on a Doha-bound Qatar Airways flight flew out of Kolkata airport on Tuesday as most of them were apprehensive about their onward journey after the incoming flight from Doha was delayed by several hours. The delay was caused by a 10-hour airspace closure between Monday and Tuesday when Iranian missiles attacked a US airbase near Doha. Even as the airspace reopened and flight movement resumed amid ceasefire talks, there was chaos throughout the day. Multiple flights heading to the Middle East were delayed or diverted. "Only passengers who were travelling directly to Doha and didn't have any connecting flights to catch took the plane. The rest either rescheduled or accepted refunds since their connecting flight schedules have gone haywire," said a senior official at Kolkata airport. On Monday evening, Iran launched missile attacks on US military bases in Qatar and Iraq, retaliating for the US bombing of its nuclear sites. This prompted Qatar, UAE, Bahrain, and Kuwait to close their airspace. While Dubai airports' operations resumed after a brief suspension and Kuwait and Bahrain reopened their airspace late on Monday, Qatar airport began operations after a 10-hour gap. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Perdagangkan CFD Emas dengan Broker Tepercaya IC Markets Mendaftar Undo You Can Also Check: Kolkata AQI | Weather in Kolkata | Bank Holidays in Kolkata | Public Holidays in Kolkata Among those affected were hundreds of passengers on board Qatar Airways flight QR 540, connecting Doha and Kolkata, who were stuck in Doha facing an 11-hour long delay and confusion at both ends. The flight, originally scheduled to depart Doha at 6:45 pm (local time) on Monday, finally took off around 5:30 am on Tuesday. It landed in Kolkata around 1 pm. Passengers recounted harrowing experiences. Advocate Debabrata Roy, who was flying back from Sweden via Doha with his wife, said: "We were already seated in the aircraft when the airline asked us to deplane. No one told us what was happening. Later, we heard about the airstrike on Qatar. It was extremely distressing." Tapas Munia, a chef from Midnapore employed at a Qatar hotel, said he was lucky to have left the hotel, taking the plane back home. "I later heard bombs had fallen not far from our hotel. After the deplaning, I thought I might not be able to return home. Now that I'm back, I feel like I've escaped something dangerous." At the Kolkata airport, emotional scenes unfolded outside the international arrivals gate. Among those waiting was an elderly woman holding a bouquet of flowers for her daughter and grandson. As soon as they emerged from the terminal, she hugged the child tightly and broke down. At present, there is only one direct flight to Doha from Kolkata, which is operated by Qatar Airways. For Dubai, there are 25 flights a week operated by Emirates, Fly Dubai, Air Arabia, and Etihad. The airlines confirmed that the airspace is now back open but there will be run-on effects. "Although the airlines have started operating normal flights, passengers are still apprehensive about taking long-haul flights. This will continue for the next few days till normalcy is restored," said Anil Punjabi of the Travel Agents Federation of India. Airport officials said they are in touch with Qatar Airways and civil aviation authorities for updates and contingency plans but admitted that the situation remains fluid.
Scottish Sun
5 days ago
- Scottish Sun
Is it safe to travel to Qatar? Latest flight advice including for Doha airport amid Israel-Iran conflict
YESTERDAY saw Qatar's airspace close as a result of ongoing tensions in the Middle East, despite the country being home to one of the world's busiest airports. With its airspace now open again and flights resuming, here is everything you need to know about travelling to - or through - Qatar. 6 Doha is home to the world's second-largest airport Credit: Alamy 6 Many travellers are stranded as Hamad International Airport experiences delays Credit: Reuters What is happening in Qatar? On Monday June 23, Iran launched a missile strike on a US airbase in Qatar. This was in retaliation to a US attack on Iranian nuclear facilities that had been carried out amid Iran's ongoing conflict with Israel. Qatari airspace was closed after flares were seen over the capital city, Doha, leaving thousands of passengers stranded - but it reopened today (Tuesday June 24) and air travel has resumed. The US Embassy in Qatar also issued a 'shelter-in-place' order to its citizens in the area, with the UK Foreign Office issuing the same to British nationals. Read more on travel warnings TRAVEL UP Is it still safe to travel to Dubai? Latest holiday warning and flight update Both the US and UK have since lifted the orders. Is it safe to visit Qatar or transit through Doha? A ceasefire was announced by US President Donald Trump this morning, but it has now been broken. The UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) has updated its travel advice for Qatar. While it does not explicitly advise against travel to the area, it warns that there are risks that could warrant another closure of airspace. The FCDO says: "Ongoing hostilities in the region and between Israel and Iran have the potential to deteriorate further, quickly and without warning including since US military strikes against Iran on 22 June. There is a possibility of travel disruption, including short-notice airspace closures, delayed and cancelled flights, and other unanticipated travel impacts." UK flight heading to Doha forced to turn back after Iran's missile strike at Qatar It also advises the following the instructions of local authorities and reading the FCDO guidelines on what to do if you're affected by a crisis abroad. Have flights been cancelled to Doha airport? Thousands of travellers have been affected by flight cancellations after Doha's Hamad International airport closed for eight hours. A Doha-bound Qatar Airways flight was diverted back to Manchester airport as a result of yesterday's missile strike, with another forced to return to London Heathrow. Qatar Airways temporarily grounded all inbound planes, and other flights over the Middle East found themselves diverted to alternative airports in the region. 6 Qatar Airways has released a statement for passengers Credit: Alamy 6 Qatari airspace closed after Iran launched missile strikes on a US air base Credit: Reuters The airline is now restoring its schedule but warns that possible disruptions could last until June 26. Hamad International airport is the world's second largest after Dubai and is used by over 120,000 passengers a day. Flights bound for Doha today are still experiencing severe disruption according to air traffic site FlightRadar. Arrivals are experiencing an average delay of 5 hours, and some flights are cancelled. Travellers should check with relevant airlines for the latest updates before flying. 6 The FCDO has not advised against all travel to Qatar Credit: Getty Can I cancel my trip? As the FCDO has not advised Brits not to travel, it is unlikely that you will be able to claim a full refund through travel insurance. However, in a statement provided to The Sun, Qatar Airways said: "Those who wish to change their travel dates may do so without paying a fee until 15 July 2025. "Customers who no longer wish to travel can opt to receive a refund of the unused value of their tickets, without any cancellation fee being applied." 6 The temporary closure of Qatari airspace has caused travel disruption Credit: Michael Schofield
The Irish Sun
5 days ago
- The Irish Sun
Is it safe to travel to Qatar? Latest flight advice including for Doha airport amid Israel-Iran conflict
YESTERDAY saw Qatar's airspace close as a result of ongoing tensions in the Middle East, despite the country being home to one of the world's busiest airports. With its airspace now open again and flights resuming, here is everything you need to know about travelling to - or through - 6 Doha is home to the world's second-largest airport Credit: Alamy 6 Many travellers are stranded as Hamad International Airport experiences delays Credit: Reuters What is happening in Qatar? On Monday June 23, Iran launched a missile strike on a US airbase in Qatar. This was in retaliation to a US attack on Iranian nuclear facilities that had been carried out amid Qatari airspace was closed after flares were seen over the capital city, The US Embassy in Qatar also issued a Read more on travel warnings Both the US and UK have since lifted the orders. Is it safe to visit Qatar or transit through Doha? A ceasefire was announced by US President Donald Trump this morning, but it has now been broken. The UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) has updated its While it does not explicitly advise against travel to the area, it warns that there are risks that could warrant another closure of airspace. Most read in News Travel The FCDO says: "Ongoing hostilities in the region and between Israel and Iran have the potential to deteriorate further, quickly and without warning including since US military strikes against Iran on 22 June. There is a possibility of travel disruption, including short-notice airspace closures, delayed and cancelled flights, and other unanticipated travel impacts." UK flight heading to Doha forced to turn back after Iran's missile strike at Qatar It also advises the following the instructions of local authorities and reading the FCDO guidelines on what to do if you're affected by a crisis abroad. Have flights been cancelled to Doha airport? Thousands of travellers have been affected by flight cancellations after A Doha-bound 6 Qatar Airways has released a statement for passengers Credit: Alamy 6 Qatari airspace closed after Iran launched missile strikes on a US air base Credit: Reuters The airline is now restoring its schedule but warns that possible disruptions could last until June 26. Arrivals are experiencing an average delay of 5 hours, and some flights are cancelled. Travellers should check with relevant airlines for the latest updates before flying. 6 The FCDO has not advised against all travel to Qatar Credit: Getty Can I cancel my trip? As the FCDO has not advised Brits not to travel, it is unlikely that you will be able to claim a full refund through travel insurance. However, in a statement provided to The Sun, Qatar Airways said: "Those who wish to change their travel dates may do so without paying a fee until 15 July 2025. "Customers who no longer wish to travel can opt to receive a refund of the unused value of their tickets, without any cancellation fee being applied." 6 The temporary closure of Qatari airspace has caused travel disruption Credit: Michael Schofield Flight compensation rules A look at your rights if a flight is delayed or cancelled, when your entitled to compensation and if your travel insurance can cover the costs. What are my rights if my flight is cancelled or delayed? Under UK law, airlines have to provide compensation if your flight arrives at its destination more than three hours late. If you're flying to or from the UK, your airline must let you choose a refund or an alternative flight. You will be able to get your money back for the part of your ticket that you haven't used yet. So if you booked a return flight and the outbound leg is cancelled, you can get the full cost of the return ticket refunded. But if travelling is essential, then your airline has to find you an alternative flight. This could even be with another airline. When am I not entitled to compensation? The airline doesn't have to give you a refund if the flight was cancelled due to reasons beyond their control, such as extreme weather. Disruptions caused by things like extreme weather, airport or air traffic control employee strikes or other 'extraordinary circumstances' are not eligible for compensation. Some airlines may stretch the definition of "extraordinary circumstances" but you can challenge them through the aviation regulator the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA). Will my insurance cover me if my flight is cancelled? If you can't claim compensation directly through the airline, your travel insurance may refund you. Policies vary so you should check the small print, but a delay of eight to 12 hours will normally mean you qualify for some money from your insurer. Remember to get written confirmation of your delay from the airport as your insurer will need proof. If your flight is cancelled entirely, you're unlikely to be covered by your insurance.
Skift
5 days ago
- Business
- Skift
Ceasefire or Not, Challenges Remain for Airlines in the Middle East
Airlines and airports are working hard to stabilize operations after a dramatic 24 hours. Monday's operational fallout was not universal, but ongoing airspace restrictions will continue to have a broad impact. As the Middle East woke on Tuesday morning, mixed reports circulated about the status of the ceasefire between Israel and Iran. News of the deal came just hours after Tehran launched missiles at a U.S. airbase in Qatar in response to earlier strikes on its nuclear sites. Even if a fragile truce holds, many airports and airlines in the region face the challenging task of stabilizing operations after a turbulent day. Rising tensions in the Middle East had already disrupted air travel, but Monday's events reached a new level. Qatari airspace was closed for approximately eight hours, while shorter closures affected flights in other countries, including the UAE and Bahrain. Qatar bore the brunt of the closures, with around 100 inbound flights disrupted, according to Flightradar24. This resulted in dozens of diversions for flag carrier Qatar Airways. Many services returned to their destination, however, others were forced to land at airports in alternate countries. The range of diversionary airports reflected the airline's enormous geographic reach. Passengers on Flight QR809 from Tokyo landed in the Indian city of Ahmedabad, while those on QR732 from Dallas made an unplanned stop in Medina in Saudi Arabia. Other Doha-bound travelers found themselves in Oman, Turkey, or Hungary. Passenger accommodation is likely to be complicated by local visa requirements and strict crew duty limits. On Tuesday morning, the operators of Doha's airport said, 'operations are gradually recovering and returning to normal,' describing the process as a 'transition.' The Broader Impact The disruption was hardest felt in Doha, but other hubs in the region were also impacted. From Dubai, Emirates – one of the world's largest airlines – said in a statement that its passengers 'experienced minimal disruptions to their travel plans' with regularly scheduled flights resuming 'within a few short hours.' The company said none of its flights were diverted, however, there were a 'small number of cancellations' and other services experienced longer flight paths due to airspace congestion. For its part, Dubai Airports – the operator of both passenger airports serving the city – warned that some flights on Tuesday would be subject to delay or cancellation. It especially advised passengers traveling to India to check with their airline for the latest updates. Elsewhere, Oman Air said Tuesday that its flight schedule has returned to normal, with only minor delays following cancellations on Monday. Etihad Airways said its services were operating as scheduled, however, there are residual delays at its Abu Dhabi hub. Due to the Middle East airspace closures and associated route congestion on Monday, Qantas' #QF33 to Paris returned to Perth. The aircraft has just touched down after 15 hours in the air. — Flightradar24 (@flightradar24) June 24, 2025 Outside the Middle East In other developments, Air India confirmed Tuesday that it will resume flights to the Middle East. The flag carrier suspended all services to the region, plus Europe and North America on Monday. Air India said most Middle East flights will resume from June 25, with European services "progressively reinstated.' Timings for U.S. East Coast and Canadian routes are less clear with these to resume 'at the earliest opportunity.' A statement from the airline added: 'Some flights may experience delays or cancellations due to consequential impacts and extended re-routings/flight times, but we are committed to minimizing disruptions and restoring our schedule integrity.' The airline's international flying was already down 15% due to the June 12 crash of an Air India jet in Ahmedabad, compounding this week's volatility. Meanwhile, IndiGo, the country's largest airline, said Tuesday that operations into, out of, and through the Gulf 'have stabilized and are operating as scheduled,' however it warned that travel times on some routes could be longer than usual due to continued airspace restrictions. Elsewhere, British Airways canceled its twice-daily flights between London and Doha until June 26. This will add additional pressure on those services that continue to operate. Late June is already a busy time for the airline industry, with limited spare capacity to rebook affected passengers. BA customers due to travel to Dubai or Doha can rebook without penalty up to July 13. Looking Ahead Before the spike in violence earlier this month, the airspace above Iran and Iraq had been used by more than 1,400 daily flights linking Asia, Europe, and North America. Most carriers have now rerouted, adding pressure to alternative corridors and extending flight times. The problem is compounded by the closure of Russian airspace to most Western airlines, and other restrictions over Belarus and Ukraine. In these uncertain hours, the reported ceasefire between Israel and Iran will do little to solve the logistical challenges facing airlines flying to, or through, the region. For example, low-cost giant Air Arabia has suspended all flights to and from Russia, Azerbaijan, and Georgia until July 1. Even flights that continue to operate may be subject to delays or rerouting. Elsewhere, Wizz Air is canceling all flights to and from the UAE until June 30. Other carriers including Turkish Airlines are offering travel waivers for selected destinations until July 31. The View from Dubai Skift's Middle East Reporter Josh Corder offers his perspective on regional events: Dubai and its neighbors are no strangers to geopolitical shocks: 9/11, the Arab Spring, and more recently, the Israel-Hamas war have all tested the region. Through it all, the UAE has consistently marketed itself as a safe haven. 'We always have faced trouble. This region always has conflict, but the UAE leadership has this sort of openness,' said UAE Minister of Economy Abdullah bin Touq Al Marri last October. 'Safety and security are one of the highest things [in the UAE]. We are in the eye of the storm.' In April, Dubai Tourism CEO Issam Kazim acknowledged the ripple effect global instability can have on travel. 'Obviously, we know today we [Dubai] are a global community, everyone is interconnected to a certain degree, where any changes happening impact the entire world,' Kazim said. 'Travel trade has always been part of that, and it tends to get impacted.' While any disruption is unwelcome, the timing may blunt the immediate tourism fallout. June through August is traditionally Dubai's shoulder season when high heat drives down visitor numbers. Dubai had around 1.2 million visitors in June last year compared to 1.9 million in December, according to government data. Still, the longer-term concern may lie in sentiment, especially among residents. Dubai's population of 3.9 million is 80-90% expatriate. Many have family elsewhere, as well as exit strategies should the city no longer feel safe. Keeping those expats happy is paramount to keeping Dubai functioning. What am I looking at? The performance of airline sector stocks within the ST200. The index includes companies publicly traded across global markets including network carriers, low-cost carriers, and other related companies. The Skift Travel 200 (ST200) combines the financial performance of nearly 200 travel companies worth more than a trillion dollars into a single number. See more airlines sector financial performance. Read the full methodology behind the Skift Travel 200.
Yomiuri Shimbun
5 days ago
- Business
- Yomiuri Shimbun
JAL Suspends Flights between Haneda and Doha; May Resume Service as Early as Friday
Japan Airlines Co. announced Tuesday that direct Japan Airlines (JAL) flights between Haneda Airport in Tokyo and Doha, the capital of Qatar, were to be canceled until Friday. On Monday, a Doha-bound JAL flight departing from Haneda Airport turned back midway and was subsequently canceled. The cancellation was ordered out of an abundance of caution after the airspace above Qatar was temporarily closed due to an attack on an American air force base there. JAL said that the suspension may continue beyond Friday. The Haneda-Doha flight is JAL's only route to the Middle East. The company normally operates one flight each to and from Doha every day. Service has been canceled in both directions from Tuesday to Thursday, as has Friday's flight from Doha to Haneda. JAL has yet to determine what to do about Friday's flight from Haneda to Doha. 'Safety will be our biggest consideration when we resume operations. We'll continue gathering information,' a JAL official said.
