Qatar Airways announced on Friday the temporary suspension of all flights to and from its hub at Hamad International Airport, a major delay in global air travel. The move follows Qatari authorities announcing an immediate shutdown of the nation's airspace, arguing that the security situation in the Middle East has deteriorated rapidly.
Statement from Qatar Airways Group. By the way, the airline group made clear in a statement released that went out through their official channel it was a precautionary measure with passengers and crew in mind. “Qatar Airways Group confirms the temporary suspension of its flights to, and from, Doha due to the closure of Qatari airspace,” the airline said.
Temporary Suspension of Qatar Airways Flights due to Qatari Airspace Closure
— Qatar Airways (@qatarairways) February 28, 2026
Qatar Airways Group confirms the temporary suspension of its flights to, and from, Doha due to the closure of Qatari airspace.
The airline is working closely with government stakeholders and the…
“Our first priority is to ensure that our passengers and employees are safe, and we apologize for any inconvenience that this situation has caused.” The airline is said to be cooperating with government officials to monitor the condition and is using more staff at Hamad International Airport and other global hubs to assist tens of thousands of stranded passengers.
Another Domino Effect All Over the Region
The closure of Qatari airspace came after Jordan, Iraq and Lebanon announced emergency measures earlier on in the day. With Iran having already initiated a first ballistic missile attack on Israel as a counterattack to joint US-Israeli hits on Tehran, public aviation in the “Middle East corridor” has been put at risk.
Meanwhile, live flight monitoring data from Flightradar24 revealed a mass exodus of commercial aircraft from the Gulf shortly before the announcement and dozens of Qatar Airways flights had been diverted to Oman and Saudi airports or returned to their destinations.
What Passengers Need to Know
Qatar Airways said it has said that both heavy delays and a "knock-on" effect on its global flight schedule for several days will be anticipated after operations resume. Travelers affected by the event are instructed to:
- Track Flight Status: Actively monitor on the Qatar Airways website or app for the latest updates.
- Reach out to ground staff: Passengers already at airports should identify the extra personnel placed to help them rebook and book accommodation.
- Wait for Airspace Reopening: The airline clarified that operations will only resume when the government considers the skies safe for commercial transit.
World Aviation is On High Alert
The suspension is an earthquake blow to global flight passage, as Doha is one of the world’s most vital connections between Europe, Asia and Africa. Given that both Qatar Airways and its regional rivals are facing unprecedented airspace restrictions, the aviation sector is preparing for one of the biggest logistical challenges since the 2020 pandemic. As war breaks out across “major combat operations” between Iran, Israel and the United States, the map of the world’s aviation map is being redrawn hour by hour.
