Qatar and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) have closed their airspace to all aircraft due to Iranian military activity in the region.
Qatar Closes Airspace
Qatar was forced to close its airspace earlier today in advance of an Iranian missile attack on Unites States military installations in the area. More than 100 flights were bound for Doha’s Hamad International Airport (DOH), the primary airport in the country, when the closure was first announced. In a statement posted by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs the government announced the temporary suspension of air traffic:
“…to ensure the safety of citizens, residents, and visitors.”
Hamad International Airport posted a statement on X saying it is working with airlines and the government to assist impacted passengers. More information has also been made available on the airport’s website.
The United Arab Emirates Also Closes Airspace
Shortly after Qatar closed its airspace, the United Arab Emirates was also forced to close its airspace. This further compounded issues for flights looking to divert from Doha as many of the preferred diversion points were no longer available.
Emirates and Etihad both operate their global hubs in the United Arab Emirates, from Dubai (DXB) and Abu Dhabi (AUH) respectively. This will no doubt have a major impact on global air travel due to the number of passengers that connect through the region on a daily basis.
Summary
Qatar and the United Arab Emirates were forced to close their airspace temporarily due to Iranian missile strikes on a U.S. military base in Qatar. Passengers should expect delays when traveling to, from, or through the region as airlines work to get planes and crews back into position after a series of diversions.
Thanks for the clear and informative article! I have passed this on to a friend with travel plans in the region.