Qatar Partially Reopens Airspace Amid Ongoing Iranian Strikes in the Gulf

Qatar Reopens Airspace for Limited Flights Amid Ongoing Conflict

The Qatar Civil Aviation Authority has announced the partial reopening of its airspace, allowing designated passenger evacuation flights and air cargo services to operate through specific navigational contingency routes. The move comes days after Iranian missile and drone strikes forced the country to ground all flights.

According to the authority, the limited opening is a cautious step towards restoring air links to Doha’s Hamad International Airport, which has seen over 2,000 flight cancellations since the conflict began. Scheduled commercial flights remain suspended until further notice.

Qatar Airways has confirmed plans to operate repatriation flights on March 7, departing from Hamad International Airport to select airports in Europe and the Middle East. Priority will be given to passengers with urgent medical or compassionate travel needs.

The Gulf country has been repeatedly targeted by Iranian missiles and drones throughout the ongoing conflict, which has killed at least 1,332 people in Iran since strikes began last Saturday. The US-Israeli military campaign against Iran continues into its seventh day.

Other airports in the region have also been affected, with Emirates airline operating a reduced schedule while working to restore full network operations. Dubai International Airport, the world’s busiest airport for international passengers, has recorded over 4,000 flight cancellations since Monday, while Abu Dhabi’s Zayed International Airport operates at limited capacity.

The partial reopening of Qatar’s airspace marks a small step towards normalizing air travel in the region, but it is unclear when scheduled commercial flights will resume.

Source: Al Jazeera