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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, 12:44 pm
  #481  
 
Join Date: Nov 2009
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Originally Posted by StormDog
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.
Their A320 Africa flights to Tanzania seem to be a bit of a disaster. Their DAR/ZNZ/JRO flights look to be making a stop in MCT on the return thus arriving in DOH way past the early morning connection bank. A larger aircraft should be able to do these flights avoiding the stop in MCT, but who knows if it's viable or if they even have any spares around to do it daily. The ZNZ flight is of particular interest to me as it's the only Oneworld option directly into Zanzibar and I use it relatively frequently. Would hate to see it go away or get out of whack with connections that work back to the US (being selfish for a moment lol).

The KRT flight is also out of whack but not much can be done with that one due to the routing. Haven't checked any other African A320 markets.
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Old Jun 6, 2017, 12:47 pm
  #482  
 
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Worth keeping an eye on Kilimanjaro-Doha movements over the next few days for anyone with this sector booked.

QR1357 back to Doha has had a fuel stop added at MCT. The A320 doesn't look to have the range needed to deal with the additional distance around the east of Oman.

KL send a B777 to JRO so the airfield can handle a bigger aircraft if QR decide to up gauge the route to remove the fuel stop.
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Old Jun 6, 2017, 12:47 pm
  #483  
 
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Manila, Philippines (MNL)
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Posts: 6,156
Originally Posted by Phil the Flyer

Although Mrs and Master PtF aren't scheduled to fly QR F/J CAI-DOH-HKG for another three weeks I have just purchased EK J/J CAI-DXB-HKG and return tickets for them (with a reasonable EGP500/GBP21 cancellation fee) as a back-up plan.

I'll do the same for myself shortly if things don't resolve themselves fairly soon.
I've now also purchased an EK J/J CAI-DXB-HKG and return ticket for myself (as a back-up for my forthcoming QR F/J CAI-DOH-MNL itinerary).

The prospect of an ex-CAI detour to AMM, IST, ATH - or anywhere else for that matter - isn't remotely appealing.

It's a shame, as I purchased my QR ticket for GBP706 (including free DOH hotel for my inbound journey); my EK ticket has cost me GBP1,195 (with the cost of a DXB hotel on top of that) - however no one messes with my summer vacation plans!
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Old Jun 6, 2017, 12:55 pm
  #484  
 
Join Date: Mar 2017
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Posts: 2,471
Originally Posted by WorldLux
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.
Indeed - it's only if things really go south and QR are effectively no longer flying that Sake Fares will be impacted. I've plenty of time on my positioning flights too, so I reckon the risks are pretty negligible.
etiene is offline  
Old Jun 6, 2017, 1:02 pm
  #485  
 
Join Date: Oct 2011
Posts: 3,838
Originally Posted by WorldLux
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.
Me too, they just moved the departure of AMS-DOH by an hour and half for travel in mid November.

I have QR AUH-DOH in mid September still in tact.

Go figure
mlqsko is offline  
Old Jun 6, 2017, 1:17 pm
  #486  
 
Join Date: Nov 2010
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A little worried now. I'm seeing today's QR 845 KUL-DOH cancelled. I have that flight in 2 weeks time. Is QR reducing flight frequencies?
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Old Jun 6, 2017, 1:29 pm
  #487  
 
Join Date: Oct 2011
Posts: 3,838
Originally Posted by hightide
A little worried now. I'm seeing today's QR 845 KUL-DOH cancelled. I have that flight in 2 weeks time. Is QR reducing flight frequencies?
QR have cancelled flights before this mess for a number of reasons - technical, crew, etc. As long as you're not flying to/from the banned countries, chillax.
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Old Jun 6, 2017, 2:04 pm
  #488  
 
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Global
Posts: 5,998
Originally Posted by hightide
A little worried now. I'm seeing today's QR 845 KUL-DOH cancelled. I have that flight in 2 weeks time. Is QR reducing flight frequencies?
In this situation, two weeks is a lifetime. This could be over, it could be escalated, it could be... anything.

Don't worry yet.
Global321 is offline  
Old Jun 6, 2017, 2:21 pm
  #489  
 
Join Date: Jul 2016
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QR1362 from MPM to DOH changed course over Oman and headed straight for Saudi airspace and has now crossed the border. What is going on?

QR1324 from KRT also changed course for Saudi airspace but is still quite a way away.

EDIT: Seems to have been a bug on flight tracker. Presumably just projects the most direct route if no updates received.
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Old Jun 6, 2017, 2:25 pm
  #490  
formerly southsidesilver
 
Join Date: Jul 2011
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QR1362 from MPM to DOH changed course over Oman and headed straight for Saudi airspace and has now crossed the border. What is going on?
I don't see it doing that, its going around up through Oman airspace.

https://www.flightradar24.com/data/flights/qr1362
When I Travel The World is offline  
Old Jun 6, 2017, 2:26 pm
  #491  
p78
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looks like to stop at MCT
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Old Jun 6, 2017, 2:48 pm
  #492  
formerly southsidesilver
 
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: San Diego,CA
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Posts: 996
looks like to stop at MCT
Showing that it went up to 43,000 FT, pretty much the max altitude !
When I Travel The World is offline  
Old Jun 6, 2017, 3:37 pm
  #493  
 
Join Date: Apr 2012
Posts: 3,944
Originally Posted by mlqsko
Me too, they just moved the departure of AMS-DOH by an hour and half for travel in mid November.

I have QR AUH-DOH in mid September still in tact.

Go figure
mlqsko please remember that the Winter timetble starts 29 October at the end of European Summertime. That and seasonal adjustments could explain the difference! On th other hand there may be more to it than that! We just do not know!
remdk is offline  
Old Jun 6, 2017, 3:44 pm
  #494  
 
Join Date: Apr 2012
Posts: 3,944
Originally Posted by hightide
A little worried now. I'm seeing today's QR 845 KUL-DOH cancelled. I have that flight in 2 weeks time. Is QR reducing flight frequencies?
hightide cancellations do occur from time to time. Todays cancellation could be due to there not being a suitable aircraft available due to the current situation
Or more likely one of the usual flock of cancellations to predominately Muslim countries during Ramadan.
remdk is offline  
Old Jun 6, 2017, 3:50 pm
  #495  
 
Join Date: Apr 2012
Posts: 3,944
Originally Posted by TonyVD
QR1362 from MPM to DOH changed course over Oman and headed straight for Saudi airspace and has now crossed the border. What is going on?

QR1324 from KRT also changed course for Saudi airspace but is still quite a way away.

EDIT: Seems to have been a bug on flight tracker. Presumably just projects the most direct route if no updates received.
TonyVD welcome to the QR forum. Do have a look at the dashboard because it can be a valuable tool when browsing the forum.

Very often I have seen the Great Circle route from the aircraft to DOH shown and this would almost certainly cross Saudi airspace. You can test this by following the flight and see if and how the routing changes.
remdk is offline  


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