Qatar Airways to operate relief flights from Muscat and Riyadh
Qatar Airways to Operate Relief Flights from Muscat and Riyadh
Qatar Airways announced it will launch a series of limited relief flights from Muscat and Riyadh beginning on Thursday, 5 March, to aid passengers stranded by the ongoing US-Israel and Iran conflict. The airline emphasized that these flights are specifically designed to assist travelers unable to proceed due to the current crisis.
Airspace Status and Operational Updates
The country’s airspace remains closed, with the next update on resuming normal operations expected at 9 am local time (7 am CET) on Friday, 6 March. Passengers are urged to stay informed through direct communication from Qatar Airways, as travel to the airport should only occur after receiving notification.
Flight Destinations and Route Details
Flights departing from Oman’s capital, Muscat—approximately 10 hours from Doha—will connect to destinations including London Heathrow, Berlin, Copenhagen, Madrid, Rome, and Amsterdam. Additionally, Qatar Airways will operate flights from Riyadh to Frankfurt. Saudi Arabia’s capital, Riyadh, is roughly a seven-hour drive away from Doha.
Travelers are encouraged to update their contact details on the Qatar Airways website and app to ensure they receive timely flight information and instructions. This measure allows the airline to promptly reach out as operations evolve.
Other Airlines Resuming Operations
British Airways has also begun special flights from Muscat for customers with existing bookings in the UAE and Oman. All flights scheduled for March 5th, 6th, and 7th are now fully booked. The UAE initiated exceptional flights on the afternoon of March 2nd to support stranded passengers, with around 17,500 individuals departing via 60 special flights between 2 and 3 March, as reported by the UAE’s General Civil Aviation Authority.
“Around 17,500 people left the country on 60 special flights between 2 and 3 March,” said the UAE’s General Civil Aviation Authority.
Etihad Airways has suspended regular flights until 6 am local time (3 am CET) on March 6th, while Emirates has extended its suspension to 11:59 pm local time (8:59 pm CET) on March 7th. In parallel, Virgin Atlantic has resumed scheduled flights between Dubai and London Heathrow, with the first departure on March 4th. Other carriers, such as flydubai, Air India, and Russia’s S7 Airlines, have also reintroduced some routes.
