Travel plans for Australians aiming to visit the Middle East or Europe have been severely disrupted as flights have been diverted or cancelled. This upheaval follows the closure of Qatar’s airspace in response to attacks on a US air base early in the morning (AEST), which affected numerous airlines including Qatar Airways, Emirates, Etihad, and FlyDubai.
Qatar Airways has halted all operations, impacting flights from Australia destined for a range of European tourist hotspots. Specifically, five flights from Australia bound for Doha have experienced disruptions, involving two operated by Virgin and three by Qatar Airways from major cities such as Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane, Adelaide, and Perth. As a result, these flights have been rerouted to alternative destinations, namely India and Singapore.
In an official statement, Qatar Airways confirmed temporary suspension of its flights due to the airspace closure. They reported an initial three Australian flights had already been affected. A spokesperson for the airline stated, “The airline is working closely with government stakeholders and the relevant authorities to support impacted passengers and will resume operations when the airspace reopens.”
Passengers have been advised to expect substantial flight delays upon the resumption of regular services. In anticipation of these issues, Qatar Airways has already begun to adjust flight schedules for the upcoming weeks, with some departures moved to earlier times. Additionally, air traffic controllers have successfully managed to establish a secure approach to Dubai, United Arab Emirates.
Reports suggest the situation in the region remains tense, with one pilot informing passengers that conditions are “very volatile.” As such, travellers are urged to stay informed about their flight statuses and to follow updates from their airlines as the situation evolves.