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

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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, Alexandria–Borg el Arab, Bahrain, Buraydah, Cairo, Dammam, Dubai–Al Maktoum, Dubai–International, 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
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Qatar Airways - UAE, KSA, Bahrain and Egypt withdraw licenses and close airspace

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Old Jun 6, 2017, 11:09 am
  #466  
 
Join Date: Apr 2012
Posts: 1,726
There is a QR office is Cairo. I always head to the office if possible. Better than calling and waiting on the line.

Now waiting to board QR401 to Doha. The service agents IN amman are tremendous. I love Jordanians. They are nice and fun.

It is interesting to see how long this stalemate lasts. QR would bet that it would be over within a month? Looking at how they handle the issue. Interesting to see Saudia delays booking till August 15, and that sounds long to me.
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Old Jun 6, 2017, 11:23 am
  #467  
 
Join Date: Aug 2015
Posts: 540
Originally Posted by TGflyergirl
Just heard AMM has been suspended also.
Can you or someone else explain this a bit better for me? I'm in Moscow right now and they rerouted me back to AUH with RJ through AMM on the phone last night....
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Old Jun 6, 2017, 11:24 am
  #468  
 
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Originally Posted by xxpert
I have a flight coming up on 06/12 AMS-DOH-HND

Should i be worried and start looking for other options?
Neither of those flights would be much impacted by the airspace restrictions (AMS-DOH doesn't have the option of South about Syria any more, but that's it), so I wouldn't think so. I'm flying the same in September - but a lot may change by then.

Might be worth knowing which CX/JL flights you would ask for if there's an issue, but a complete closure of airspace access would be escalating things in a way which would probably draw more international ire than the coalition would risk, I think.

EDIT: Also BA/AY

Last edited by etiene; Jun 6, 2017 at 11:33 am Reason: Addition info
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Old Jun 6, 2017, 11:27 am
  #469  
 
Join Date: Aug 2016
Location: London, UK
Posts: 136
Originally Posted by Calum
Surly based on that map, Bahrain have the power to ground all flights to Qatar?
the first article in the Chicago convention of 1944 on the international civil aviation, which almost all countries have signed states that:

"The contracting States recognize that every State has complete and exclusive sovereignty over the airspace above its territory."

They will not try to ground any Qatari flights, as it will be against the international laws and counts as an act of war against Qatar.
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Old Jun 6, 2017, 11:29 am
  #470  
Moderator: Qatar Airways
 
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Originally Posted by Dubh
Can you or someone else explain this a bit better for me? I'm in Moscow right now and they rerouted me back to AUH with RJ through AMM on the phone last night....
The subsequent posts cleared up the matter, indicating that it was just a temporary closure.

All fine now.

M
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Old Jun 6, 2017, 11:33 am
  #471  
 
Join Date: Apr 2012
Posts: 3,944
Dubh you are being rerouted through AMM because QR is not allowed to fly to AUH. Oneworld partner RJ flies AMM-AUH so you are being rerouted so that you can complete your journey as quickly as possible.
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Old Jun 6, 2017, 11:37 am
  #472  
 
Join Date: Mar 2012
Location: Cairo, Egypt
Programs: Qatar Plat
Posts: 235
I guess this will delay the roll-out of the new Qatar business class.

Well, always expect the unexpected in this part of the world. On the plus side, there's far too much money on the line for this to go on too long.

Last edited by Canuck2012; Jun 6, 2017 at 11:54 am
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Old Jun 6, 2017, 11:45 am
  #473  
 
Join Date: Jan 2008
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Today's Lagos service had to take a pretty creative route - 2 Hours added to a regular 7 hour flight time to operate around the coast of Oman.

This must be 2nd in line after the GRU service to see the biggest impact of the current airspace ban.

https://www.flightradar24.com/data/f...qr1407#da30cd7
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Old Jun 6, 2017, 12:06 pm
  #474  
formerly southsidesilver
 
Join Date: Jul 2011
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The flights from Khartoum last night was a fun 6 hours and 23 minutes. Over double the normal flight time.

https://uk.flightaware.com/live/flig...255Z/HSSS/OTHH
When I Travel The World is offline  
Old Jun 6, 2017, 12:09 pm
  #475  
 
Join Date: Dec 2010
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Originally Posted by THECLIPPERS
How are they able to get you to Cairo?
They offered re-routing through Beirut, I asked for rerouting through Athens (my hometown), and was given DOH-ATH-CAI.

They insisted on re-booking me on Business. ^^

Everything was taken care in an hour with first class lounge access, even though my F ticket was canceled.
Nikolaos is offline  
Old Jun 6, 2017, 12:10 pm
  #476  
 
Join Date: Oct 2013
Location: Doha, Qatar
Programs: Qatar Airways Privilege Club Platinum; Accor Le Club Platinum
Posts: 1,077
Originally Posted by When I Travel The World
The flights from Khartoum last night was a fun 6 hours and 23 minutes. Over double the normal flight time.

https://uk.flightaware.com/live/flig...255Z/HSSS/OTHH
Double QMiles???
SullyofDoha is offline  
Old Jun 6, 2017, 12:10 pm
  #477  
 
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Originally Posted by Skyrocker
the first article in the Chicago convention of 1944 on the international civil aviation, which almost all countries have signed states that:

"The contracting States recognize that every State has complete and exclusive sovereignty over the airspace above its territory."

They will not try to ground any Qatari flights, as it will be against the international laws and counts as an act of war against Qatar.
Flew from DOH to ATH through the Gulf and using only Iranian and Turkish airspace..
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Old Jun 6, 2017, 12:18 pm
  #478  
 
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I guess once the dust has settled and the initial impacts assessed, we should prepare ourselves for a slew of reschedules going through the QR flight schedule.

And in principle I guess this will be.
  • Outstation arrivals pushed back.
  • Outstation departures brought forward.
  • Tweaks in and out of Doha but the two main daily transit windows maintained, maybe with some spacing to avoid flight bunching in the more restricted airspace.
QR generally try to run themselves as an on time airline so I guess we should expect some schedule movement.

​​​​We probably need to be prepared for this if the operational constraints continue.
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Old Jun 6, 2017, 12:20 pm
  #479  
 
Join Date: Jan 2008
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I've just checked through the majority of departures for the last 6-8 hours - Almost all movements are close to schedule which is pretty impressive given the restrictions.

QR have a few spare airframes up their sleeve with the cancelled Gulf services so It looks like these are being used well to ensure the network continues to keep it's punctuality.

Whether this continues to be the case over the next 2-3 days remains to be seen however they've got to be happy with how the first full day of restrictions has played out so far.

Last edited by StormDog; Jun 6, 2017 at 12:26 pm
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Old Jun 6, 2017, 12:38 pm
  #480  
 
Join Date: Sep 2015
Programs: LH SEN; BA Gold
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Originally Posted by etiene
Neither of those flights would be much impacted by the airspace restrictions (AMS-DOH doesn't have the option of South about Syria any more, but that's it), so I wouldn't think so. I'm flying the same in September - but a lot may change by then.
DOH-NRT/HND is probably not affected at all.

QR812 (DOH-HND) left DOH, flew along the Iranian coast, up through Pakistan into China right up to the Chinese-Mongolian board, over PEK and ICN to HND. That said, QR8212 has been flying that route since 2017/06/01 (so even before the UAE ban was in place).

On the last day of May, QR812 left DOH and flew over Dubai, northern Oman India, Bangladesh, Myanmar, Shanghai to Tokyo. If they decide to fly that route, they'll have to reroute around the UAE.

Apart from those passengers on itineraries from/to Egypt, Saudi Arabia, the UAE and Bahrain, I wouldn't worry too much for now. Unless BAH decides to shut down the corridors into DOH, operations to/from N/A, Europe, Asia and Oceania will be largely unaffected (apart from delays or longer flight times).

Flights to Africa and S/A will have considerably higher flight durations as they'll have to fly around the Arabian Peninsula.

I'm booked on a Sake Fare too and right now I only worry that QR might have to amend departure time to take into account that their aircrafts will be airborne for longer duration.
WorldLux is offline  


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