Go Back  FlyerTalk Forums > Miles&Points > Airlines and Mileage Programs > Qatar Airways | Privilege Club
Reload this Page >

Qatar Airways - UAE, KSA, Bahrain and Egypt withdraw licenses and close airspace

Old Jun 5, 2017, 6:48 am
FlyerTalk Forums Expert How-Tos and Guides
Last edit by: plunet
Wiki last updated: 21 July 2017 18:00 UTC

Summary of key traveller experiences and feedback on this forum since Mid-June
  • Policy statement (link) for the travel industry issued 15th June 2017
  • Refund is always an option, but very varied experiences of how quickly the refund is processed, from a few days to "still waiting". Some experiences of passengers being pressurised into taking refunds when this is not necessary if you can wait.
  • If you want to reroute from a closed destination to another middle east destination still served by QR, you might be able to do this as early as 30 days from 1st sector, although we have had reports of rerouting at 6 weeks out.
  • Where QR have to reroute onto other carriers, long haul reroutes typically onto BA, CX and TK seem to be quoted most often. In the Gulf region ME, KU, WY are quoted most often. Although RJ is a OneWorld carrier and should be a parter for QR, they are not accepting QR rerouted tickets.
  • Status of reservations for travel to affected destinations typically changes to "Unconfirmed" 7 days ahead of travel.
  • If your booking was via a 3rd party or agent you probably can't get Qatar to change the ticket until 72 hours before the first sector. 3rd parties and agents seem to be offering refunds rather than rerouting, although there has been some success if you can show them the QR rebooking policy document.
  • There has been a very mixed bag of reports of how QR are handling rebooking. Some people have no luck getting itineraries changed before 72 hours before departure, but others do. So some good advice is to always be polite but if you don't get what you want, then thank the agent for their time and HUACA (hang up and call again) - preferably after you have had a drink and have calmed down, and maybe calling a different office.

Some specific data points from other travellers:
(but there is a lot more valuable information if you can trawl back through the thread)

#753 CAI-LHR-DOH been offered as alternative for ex-CAI 4 days prior to 1st sector.
#772 KUL-DOH-LXR reroute to CAI and IST refused
#792 AUH-DOH-DPS by QR rebooked to DXB-HKG-DPS by CX
#794 Australia-DOH-HBE rebooked as DOH-BEY on QR on 2nd attempt.
#808 CAI>DOH>BOS>DOH>CAI rebooked to KRT and date change
#818 SYD-DOH-CAI changed to SYD-DOH-KWI-CAI, layovers optimed and +Qatar stopover
#830 and #840 Economy ICN-DOH-DXB rebooked onto CX ICN-HKG-DXB
#849 ex-CAI ininaries changed to ex-AMM but needed to HUACA a few times.
#856 CAI-DOH-BKK changed to FCO-DOH-BKK all on QR
#868 DFW-DOH-HBE changed to DFW-DOH-LCA all on QR 2 weeks out.
#906 Unable to get LXR-DOH-HKG-BNE rerouted until 72 hours prior
#927 CAI-DOH-BKK rebooked onto CAI-BAH-AMM on Gulf DOH-BKK (on QR) and return back to AMM
#966 DXB-DOH (award ticket) was changed to DXB-KWI-DOH on Kuwait+QR 48hrs in advance
#966 DOH-CAI (2 award tickets) were changed to DOH-BEY on QR 48 hours advance
#966 CAI-DOH-MUC (paid business) were changed to BEY-DOH-MUC 72 hours advance
#981 HKT-DOH-DWC (J/F tix) change to HKT-DOH-KWI all on QR 10 days out.
#985 ex-LXR ticket rerouted by OTA as CAI-BEY-DOH outside the 72 hr window
#1004 BKK-DOH-CAI in F rebooked as BKK-DOH-BEY in QR F, BEY-CAI in C on ME
#1005 HEL-DOH-DXB rebooked HEL-DOH-MCT on QR and MCT-DXB on Oman once ticket status went to unconfirmed.
#1057 MAN-DOH-DXB rebooked as MAN-LHR-DXB on BA (had to HUACA 3 times)
#1141 Multiple ex-CAI itineraries CAI-DOK-BKK return in J, CAI-DOH-LHR return in J, CAI-DOH-BKK single in F changed to all be ex-KWI. Had to HUACA 3 times.
#1157 LXR-DOH-NRT booked in January, flight changed to CAI-DOH-NRT
#1172 Rebooked CAI-(F)-DOH(J)-BKK to CAI-(C/ME)-BEY-(F)-DOH-(C)-BKK at 77hrs from departure
#1173 Rebooked at QR office HBE-DOH-DPS to HBE-IST-DOH-DPS on TK/TK/QR and improved timing on DOS-DPS segment

Offical guidance from QR website as of mid July:

Passengers who have purchased their tickets from Qatar Airways have the following options to refund their tickets:

For tickets booked on qatarairways.com, they can:
  1. Go to Refund requests;
  2. They can approach their nearest Qatar Airways Office; or
  3. They can call the Qatar Airways contact Centre at +974 4022 0072
For tickets booked through a Qatar Airways Office or through the Contact Centre, passengers can
  1. Contact their nearest Qatar Airways Office; or
  2. Call Qatar Airways Contact Centre on +974 4022 0072
The refund will be made to the original form of payment and the refund will be processed within 14 - 28 days.
Passengers who have purchased their Qatar Airways tickets through a Travel Agency can request their refund from the issuing Travel Agent.
Within the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, UAE, Kingdom of Bahrain and Egypt please use: https://refundsapp1.blueivysync.com/...er-refund.html

This is a different web form as the Qatar website is blocked from some of these countries.
For further information and FAQs please visit: http://support.qatarairways.com/hc/e...002369667-FAQs
What Happened

On the 6th of June flights from Qatar to Bahrain, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates (and vice versa) were suspended.

This includes all Qatar flights between Doha and Abu Dhabi, Abha, AlexandriaBorg el Arab, Bahrain, Buraydah, Cairo, Dammam, DubaiAl Maktoum, DubaiInternational, Gassim, Hofuf, Jeddah, Luxor, Madinah, Ras Al Khaimah, Riyadh, Sharjah, Tabuk, Ta'if and Yanbu.

Adding to this at 00:00 (UTC) on the 6th of June restrictions were put in place limiting flights to Doha to one particular corridor through the airspace of Bahrain. This has since been relaxed to two specific corridors through Bahrain airspace with a second corridor up the Saudi Arabia the new addition.

All other flights to other Qatar Airways destinations including the Maldives are still operating although some have delays due to the extended time required to avoid restricted airspace.

There are a couple of routes that are having to make fuel stops in Athens or Muscat but this seems to be dependent on the type of aircraft as well.

Details on the Airspace can be found here - https://www.flightradar24.com/blog/f...ain-and-egypt/

What about my Flights to other destinations?

Flights to Europe, Asia, Pacific and Norte America are operating as per schedule with minimal delays. There is no need to contact QR regarding these services.

Flights between Doha and Souto America are facing delays due to longer times and/or need for a technical stop-over. Flights to GRU and EZE are 2hr to 5hrs longer.

Flight between Doha and Africa/Middle East have longer flights times due to the airspace restrictions. Some routes like Doha to Khartoum have felt the full force of the restrictions with the flight now taking 2hr 30 mins longer than normal.

Qatar has begun to re-time flights to ensure the network continues running smoothly. Changes have been since Monday 12 June 2017, so it is advised to check your flight status and times on the Qatar website.


What about my flight to a suspended destination?

If you are due to fly in the next few days, search for alternative routings and note them down.

24 hours before your scheduled departure time, contact your LOCAL QR office, and ask for their assistance. Advise them that you have found an alternative routing which you would be willing to accept and see if they will book it for you.

If you are due to fly more than 5 days from today, try and relax. Do not panic and please do not call QR as you are blocking the lines for those flying in the next 24 hours. At this stage, Qatar is only offering options to those who are traveling in the next 24 hours.

Currently, people in the thread have suggested that Qatar is rebooking on flights through Muscat, Kuwait, Amman, Istanbul, Mumbai, Beirut, Athens and Tunis.

You can only get a refund if your booking is to one of the destinations listed at the top! (The number of people asking QR on Twitter for a refund of other flights is amazing)

What about other airlines?

Most other carriers in and out of Doha are still operating except for Air Arabia, Air Arabia Egypt, Air Cairo, EgyptAir, Emirates, Etihad, FlyDubai, Rotana Jet and Saudia.

Most other carriers are using the new restricted routes into Doha although provided the aircraft is not registered in Qatar they are allowed to use the Saudi Arabia or Egypt Airspace.

Timeline of Events:


5 June 2017

- UAE, KSA, Bahrain and Egypt withdraw licenses and close airspace
- All MS flights between CAI and DOH was zeroed out
- All GF flights between BAH and DOH closed for sale
- All QR flights between DOH and CAI closed for sale
- All QR staff travel was canceled

6 June 2017

- Airspace Restriction came into effect at 00:00 (UTC)
- All QR flights between DOH and UAE/Bahrain/KSA closed for sale
- QR flights between DOH and MLE still bookable
- QR Charters 3 aircraft from Jeddah to Muscat

7 June 2017
- QR Charters an aircraft from Jeddah to Kuwait

8 June 2017
- Qatar Airways website blocked in the UAE
- Qatar Airways offices in the UAE, Saudi Arabia and Bahrain close

11 June 2017
- Second flight corridor added along the Saudi Arabia Coast

13 June 2017
- UAE Relaxes rules allowing non Qatari registered aircraft to use their airspace to/from Qatar but they are still not allowing flights between the UAE and Qatar from any operators.
- Egypt Relaxes rules allowing non Qatari registered aircraft to use their airspace to/from Qatar. The new rules also allow for non Qatar or Egypt registered aircraft to operate flights between the two countries.

14 June 2017
- Agreement between QR and BA/A3 on reticketing passengers (link below)



Further information:
- QR Travel Alert http://support.qatarairways.com/hc/e...bile_site=true
- QR FAQs http://support.qatarairways.com/hc/e...002369667-FAQs
- QR Charter flights arranged from Jeddah KSA to Muscat Oman http://support.qatarairways.com/hc/e...Muscat-to-Doha
- QR agreement with BA & A3 to reticket their flights http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/qatar...r-help-qr.html
- Political background and latest updates: http://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-40155829
Print Wikipost

Qatar Airways - UAE, KSA, Bahrain and Egypt withdraw licenses and close airspace

Old Oct 1, 2017, 2:47 am
  #1456  
 
Join Date: Jul 2017
Posts: 57
Originally Posted by jouhka
The call center agent said that there is no more any option to fly to AUH at all. Any experience on that?
-j
I have been informed the same, cannot reroute to AUH.

I was rerouted to IST and I have requested them to rerouted me to KWI and I do not mind flying economy KWI-DXB but they said it is not allowed to change the flight class.
Amame is offline  
Old Oct 1, 2017, 9:47 am
  #1457  
 
Join Date: May 2006
Location: Ireland
Programs: BA Gold,Amex Centurion,Marriott LT Plat Prem Elite +AMBASS,Hilton Diamond,Priority Club Plat,VS Gold
Posts: 369
Called Qatar this afternoon as Ive a flight ticket they parked in First CAI-DOH-BKK when this all kicked off. I was told my options are to fly ex Cairo on another airline or fly ex Kuwait or Amman. These seem to be the only non additional fee changes. I asked if possible to ditch first flight and just do DOH-BKK but no dice there.
IrishStephen is offline  
Old Oct 3, 2017, 11:51 am
  #1458  
FlyerTalk Evangelist
 
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: BOS/UTH
Programs: AA LT PLT; QR GLD; Bonvoy LT TIT
Posts: 12,655
The end of the boycott and a return to normalcy might be just starting to come into view. The Hague Institute for Global Justice: International Law Authorizes the Prosecution of Siege Countries.
Dr. HFH is offline  
Old Oct 3, 2017, 3:15 pm
  #1459  
 
Join Date: Oct 2013
Location: CPH
Programs: SAS Gold, Marriott Platinum, IHG Platinum, Hyatt Explorist, Hilton Gold
Posts: 162
Also spoke with QR a couple of times today about my CPH-DOH-DXB booking. Only options given were rebook via KWI with horrible layovers or reroute to MCT. No dice getting to simply go only to DOH... looks like it'll be MCT I guess.
jjakobv84 is offline  
Old Oct 4, 2017, 3:13 am
  #1460  
FlyerTalk Evangelist
 
Join Date: Nov 2008
Programs: AA EXP/LTP, BA GGL/CCR/GfL, HH D/LTD, SPG/MR Plat/LTP
Posts: 10,074
Originally Posted by tortellini
My experience until now. I have a flight CAI-DOH-MIA mid of October. It included an overnight in DOH, which we always prefer to do before heading to MIA.

The callcenter in the US and CANADA (I did quite a few HUTA) were just able to offer me ridiulous flights.

CAI-IST/BEY-DOH ... but leaving CAI in the afternoon, having to sleep in the lounge, arriving in DOH a few hours before our flight to MIA departs.

I tried many times to ask for a flight leaving CAI in the moring, arriving at DOH in the late afternoon, but they insist there is no availabilty. I will try more HUTAS.

A refund is not an option.
Check ME website for availability of earlier CAI departure. On my own suggestion the CAI-DOH with 13.00 departure was changed to

ME305 CAI-BEY 10.00-12.15 C class
QR417 BEY-DOH 13.40-17.45 F class

It might not be the flight availability, but possibly the need to provide you with hotel that is the culprit here, as the MIA flight leaves at 08.00 . Flying their own metal with overnight connection -> QR pays hotel stay. Flying on partner metal with shorter connection time -> no hotel
onobond is offline  
Old Oct 11, 2017, 12:44 am
  #1461  
 
Join Date: Nov 2016
Posts: 42
Is anyone getting a offer to reroute / replace their doh-dxb sector with another alternative albeit an expensive one for them like DOH-LHR or CPH or ARN?
TiredDoc is offline  
Old Oct 11, 2017, 5:11 am
  #1462  
 
Join Date: Oct 2013
Location: CPH
Programs: SAS Gold, Marriott Platinum, IHG Platinum, Hyatt Explorist, Hilton Gold
Posts: 162
Originally Posted by TiredDoc
Is anyone getting a offer to reroute / replace their doh-dxb sector with another alternative albeit an expensive one for them like DOH-LHR or CPH or ARN?
No. They offered me CPH-DOH-IST-DXB or CPH-DOH-KWI-DXB, but always with CPH-DOH first... useless alternatives given the very long connections.
jjakobv84 is offline  
Old Oct 11, 2017, 1:04 pm
  #1463  
 
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: TPA
Programs: AA PLT, HH Gold, FM Prem, SPG gold
Posts: 581
After having luck with changing the outbound of CAI>DOH>BOS to KRT>DOH>BOS I really tried to change BOS>DOH>CAI to end in JIB (Djibouti), but no amount of logic would prevail.

I hinted that a shorter flight to JIB was better than them flying me to ATH or IST then putting me on a partner...

I had ZERO luck and eventually just said fly me to KWI. They said the flight from KWI to CAI would be in Y so I decided to just stop there.
rivlinm is offline  
Old Oct 11, 2017, 4:14 pm
  #1464  
NTX
 
Join Date: Jan 2015
Location: Dallas, TX
Programs: AAdvantage Platinum
Posts: 5
I'm scheduled to fly from DFW>DXB via DOH next month and was advised to call in today to see what the options are. First one was the most ridiculous: DFW>DOH>IST>DXB for a total of 45 hours of flying time. Second option is DFW>DOH>KWI>DXB which is decent, but still way too long and inconvenient.

US customer "service" is saying they are requiring people to have to use their QR leg to Doha and then get rebooked on only Kuwait Airways or Turkish. It sucks because I'd rather just have them rebook me on DFW>LHR>DXB and vice-versa on AA/BA. Only other option is a refund.

Anyone else hitting a wall now?
NTX is offline  
Old Oct 13, 2017, 12:35 am
  #1465  
Moderator: Qatar Airways
 
Join Date: Jan 2014
Location: LHR/NCE/MIA
Programs: BAEC GfL & GGL, SQ Gold, Amex Centurion, Mucci des Chevaliers des Bons Mots et Qui Savent Moucher
Posts: 8,915
There was a very interesting report on CNN about the current Blockade, which actually explained that while Qatar are suffering, Bahrain is suffering far more.

The report didn't speculate on whether the blockade would end, but it did quote the below figure.

The blockade, is costing Qatar circa $500,000,000 per week. Yep, $500m a week! That's got to become problematic much sooner rather than later - perhaps as seen, by the fact that the number of airline partners able to help QR, has depleted.

M
msm2000uk is online now  
Old Oct 13, 2017, 12:48 am
  #1466  
 
Join Date: Feb 2016
Location: AMS / FRA
Programs: Marriott Ambassador Elite / LH Senator / KL Gold / QR Gold
Posts: 214
Originally Posted by msm2000uk
There was a very interesting report on CNN about the current Blockade, which actually explained that while Qatar are suffering, Bahrain is suffering far more.

The report didn't speculate on whether the blockade would end, but it did quote the below figure.

The blockade, is costing Qatar circa $500,000,000 per week. Yep, $500m a week! That's got to become problematic much sooner rather than later - perhaps as seen, by the fact that the number of airline partners able to help QR, has depleted.

M
That's a lot of zeros in that number!
I thought the figure was much lower than that. A country without that many natural resources probably wouldn't have 'survived' four month
hotwingz is offline  
Old Oct 13, 2017, 1:20 am
  #1467  
Moderator: Qatar Airways
 
Join Date: Jan 2014
Location: LHR/NCE/MIA
Programs: BAEC GfL & GGL, SQ Gold, Amex Centurion, Mucci des Chevaliers des Bons Mots et Qui Savent Moucher
Posts: 8,915
Originally Posted by hotwingz
That's a lot of zeros in that number!
I thought the figure was much lower than that. A country without that many natural resources probably wouldn't have 'survived' four month
I added the zeros for extra effect

M
msm2000uk is online now  
Old Oct 13, 2017, 1:37 am
  #1468  
 
Join Date: Oct 2017
Posts: 1
Originally Posted by iMeMoz
I also have HEL-DOH-DXB flights in two weeks. I have called tree times but they are just giving me HEL-DOH-KWI-DXB, that has a really bad timing. They have said to my that they are only giving flights via Kuwait with kuwait airways. I think i need to accept it... I wonder how the transit works at Kuwait. Do i have to pick up my luggage etc..
I got ARN-DOH-KWI-DXB and wondering the same thing. Does the luggage get checked all the way even tho I switch airlines to Kuwait Airways from KWI to DXB?
Mjao is offline  
Old Oct 13, 2017, 2:50 am
  #1469  
 
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: ADL
Programs: QFF, AAdvantage, All
Posts: 1,128
Originally Posted by msm2000uk
The blockade, is costing Qatar circa $500,000,000 per week. Yep, $500m a week! That's got to become problematic much sooner rather than later - perhaps as seen, by the fact that the number of airline partners able to help QR, has depleted.
I strongly suggest that figure is associated with the restructuring that is going on (ie importing dairy cows) and will not be a continuous cost. Qatar injected around $40bn to support its economy and financial system during the initial stages of the dispute. Alternatively, the figure could be associated with net outflows of non-domestic customer deposits of $8bn and of overseas deposits and borrowings of $15bn, where such a loss is not materialistic, though still damaging.
This embargo was intended to hurt Qatar, but it is yet to be established if this is indeed happening to a crippling extent. In many cases it has had the opposite effect with stabilizing new trade markets with some improvements.
LukeO9 is offline  
Old Oct 13, 2017, 1:13 pm
  #1470  
 
Join Date: Jun 2017
Posts: 131
It's hurting very much, however, the locals would never admit such a thing.
Downunderdesert is offline  

Thread Tools
Search this Thread

Contact Us - Manage Preferences - Archive - Advertising - Cookie Policy - Privacy Statement - Terms of Service -

This site is owned, operated, and maintained by MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands. Copyright © 2024 MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands. All rights reserved. Designated trademarks are the property of their respective owners.