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

Old Jun 7, 2017, 9:36 am
  #556  
 
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: EWR
Programs: Marriott Bonvoy Gold, HHonors Gold
Posts: 519
How are you guys reaching QR to get re-routed? I've been trying all the numbers without any success. Is there a good time to call for certain number? Any other phone numbers to try?

USA: 877-777-2827
Qatar: 974-4022-0072
Canada: 888-366-5666
yoonny is offline  
Old Jun 7, 2017, 9:54 am
  #557  
 
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: Middle Earth, and often worse
Programs: BAEC Silver, A3 Gold
Posts: 2,177
Originally Posted by yoonny
How are you guys reaching QR to get re-routed? I've been trying all the numbers without any success. Is there a good time to call for certain number? Any other phone numbers to try?

USA: 877-777-2827
Qatar: 974-4022-0072
Canada: 888-366-5666
Today I used Qatar: 974-4022-0072 and had to wait just under 2 hours, BUT I did get through...
tmac100 is offline  
Old Jun 7, 2017, 10:05 am
  #558  
 
Join Date: Dec 2013
Location: DOH
Programs: BA:GOLD
Posts: 213
Went with France, 10 minutes wait and english option:
+33 143 128 441
frausflyer is offline  
Old Jun 7, 2017, 10:06 am
  #559  
formerly southsidesilver
 
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: San Diego,CA
Programs: BA Gold, UA Silver, HH Diamond
Posts: 996
Qatar: 974-4022-0072
I got through on that one. Took an hour though.
When I Travel The World is offline  
Old Jun 7, 2017, 10:11 am
  #560  
 
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: EWR
Programs: Marriott Bonvoy Gold, HHonors Gold
Posts: 519
Originally Posted by tmac100
Today I used Qatar: 974-4022-0072 and had to wait just under 2 hours, BUT I did get through...
Thanks. Google Voice is 26 cent per minute to Qatar...

I just tried London #01144-330-024-0128 (from US, 1 cent per minute) and they picked up right away. They advised me that they were given an internal memo that Egypt flights are scheduled to operate after the 9th so not to rebook anyone past that date. I guess they are optimistic that things will work out. We will see.
yoonny is offline  
Old Jun 7, 2017, 10:27 am
  #561  
 
Join Date: Oct 2015
Location: UK
Programs: AA
Posts: 209
Just an update on the man- doh flight today. This went pretty smoothly although I would say the plane looked less than half full. On checking in this morning I asked the QR check in agents about options for my man-doh-dxb flight later this month. They gave options for a refund or possible reroute onto Etihad or Emirites but after further discussion that option was removed and looks like BA is the best bet.

I am now in the Doh hotel and trying to relax. I will probably wait till I return from Bkk then weigh up the options for our Dxb trip.

I will log into this thread on a regular basis for hopefully some good news for everyone.
steviewire is offline  
Old Jun 7, 2017, 10:28 am
  #562  
 
Join Date: May 2017
Programs: QR
Posts: 19
I have an upcoming trip with QR from JNB. Flightradar24 shows that the flights are taking longer to complete. I contacted QR who have advised this isn't the case. The problem is I have a 50 minute connection to the next flight (with old flight times), taking the delay into account I will be missing my connection flight to HKT...

Any advise on what should be done? As I doubt all of this would be sorted out by the time I depart which is a little over one week...
Ikraamk is offline  
Old Jun 7, 2017, 10:34 am
  #563  
 
Join Date: Sep 2014
Location: Knoteetingham
Programs: EY Gold, QF WP
Posts: 311
Originally Posted by Ikraamk
I have an upcoming trip with QR from JNB. Flightradar24 shows that the flights are taking longer to complete. I contacted QR who have advised this isn't the case. The problem is I have a 50 minute connection to the next flight (with old flight times), taking the delay into account I will be missing my connection flight to HKT...

Any advise on what should be done? As I doubt all of this would be sorted out by the time I depart which is a little over one week...
The connection will be protected as you are on QR all the way. Doubt it will be a problem. Certainly won't be any lines at transit security
Reds2011 is offline  
Old Jun 7, 2017, 10:37 am
  #564  
 
Join Date: May 2017
Programs: QR
Posts: 19
Originally Posted by Reds2011
The connection will be protected as you are on QR all the way. Doubt it will be a problem. Certainly won't be any lines at transit security

More concerned about being downgraded to Y if I miss the connection and have to take the later flight, if J full
Ikraamk is offline  
Old Jun 7, 2017, 10:37 am
  #565  
formerly southsidesilver
 
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: San Diego,CA
Programs: BA Gold, UA Silver, HH Diamond
Posts: 996
Also my AMS-DOH flight for November was brought forward with a schedule change of 1 hour and 30 mins. No complaints though.
When I Travel The World is offline  
Old Jun 7, 2017, 10:43 am
  #566  
FlyerTalk Evangelist
 
Join Date: Mar 2000
Posts: 17,378
Originally Posted by LSunbury
The official comment from the Maldives is that the severing of diplomatic relations 'will not affect commercial and economic relations'. This is on the home page of the President's office.

So unless the situation escalates I guess flights DOH-MLE will continue.

I have flights booked on this route, but not until next year. Fingers crossed it is all resolved quickly and peacefully.
That's good news for everyone holding Maldives tickets on QR. I certainly wouldn't be buying a QR ticket to MLE, but at least vacations aren't ruined (yet).

Originally Posted by aktchi
I agree. While I won't be booking my Abu Dhabi to Jeddah flights on QR for some time, I also don't see any serious problem with trips like Chicago to Singapore. If the price is good, I would buy.
Well, you can certainly play the odds, and they're in your favor. But anyone who thinks there's not risk in buying future-date QR tickets is wrong, IMO. The situation there is NOT stable. It's the equivalent of buying a ticket on an airline that might, or might not, go bankrupt. The price might be good, but the risk is also higher.
iahphx is online now  
Old Jun 7, 2017, 10:55 am
  #567  
 
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: Middle Earth, and often worse
Programs: BAEC Silver, A3 Gold
Posts: 2,177
No guarantees wrt the future. Get used to it in this mortal world.... What about all those pax in Burma/Mayanmar. All full of hope and expectation when they boarded.

Inshallah is a good Arabic word to remember - anywhere you may be. All prognosticators have NO idea about the future - with certainty.
tmac100 is offline  
Old Jun 7, 2017, 11:03 am
  #568  
 
Join Date: Jan 2016
Location: LON
Programs: BAEC
Posts: 3,884
I agree, you can't expect any insurance policy to cover a pre-existing risk without disclosure and being prepared to stump up extra premium. Trying to claim for a risk that was known at the time of purchase of the policy and not declared can result in investigations by the insurers anti-fraud department and the policy holder potentially being prosecuted and/or blacklisted for all other insurers to see.

To be fully covered it's usually better to purchase your travel insurance as soon as you make your bookings for travel related products.
plunet is offline  
Old Jun 7, 2017, 11:04 am
  #569  
 
Join Date: Aug 2016
Location: NYC
Programs: SPG Platinum Ambassador
Posts: 106
Originally Posted by LSunbury
The official comment from the Maldives is that the severing of diplomatic relations 'will not affect commercial and economic relations'. This is on the home page of the President's office.

So unless the situation escalates I guess flights DOH-MLE will continue.

I have flights booked on this route, but not until next year. Fingers crossed it is all resolved quickly and peacefully.
Thank you for this update! Breathing somewhat a sigh of relief for my flight to MLE next month.

If you all were in my position, would you purchase a refundable flight on Emirates just in case? I think this announcement from the Maldives proves that they don't want to concede tourism revenue, even if it means keeping a relationship with QR.
Ants1 is offline  
Old Jun 7, 2017, 11:06 am
  #570  
formerly southsidesilver
 
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: San Diego,CA
Programs: BA Gold, UA Silver, HH Diamond
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What about all those pax in Burma/Mayanmar. All full of hope and expectation when they boarded.
Well that was a military aircraft with servicemen on it, nor exactly a commercial flight. But still terrible non the less. RIP all
When I Travel The World is offline  

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