Doha, June 26 (QNA) – CEO of Qatar Airways Group Eng. Badr Mohammed Al Meer said that the airline successfully restored its full schedule in record time despite the unexpected geopolitical escalation earlier this week, which led to the closure of Qatari airspace and subsequent closures in Bahrain, the UAE, and Kuwait. This forced Qatar Airways to immediately suspend all operations at a time when nearly 100 of its aircraft were en route to Doha, some on final approach, others preparing for takeoff.
In a statement published this evening on the Qatar Airways website, Al Meer explained that the airline faced one of the most severe tests in its history, particularly after a missile strike targeted Al Udeid Air Base. This prompted the activation of air defense systems and decisive measures by the Qatari Armed Forces to secure the country鈥檚 airspace.
Amid these heightened security conditions, Qatar Airways teams executed a precise operational plan, diverting more than 90 flights carrying over 20,000 passengers to alternate destinations. These included 25 flights to Saudi Arabia, 18 to Turkey, 15 to India, 13 to Oman, and 5 to the UAE, along with other major airports in Europe and Asia.
Al Meer noted that the crisis was not confined to the skies, on the ground, over 10,000 passengers were transiting through Hamad International Airport at the time of the closure, awaiting their departures. The airline mobilized extensive human and logistical resources, distributing over 35,000 meals, securing 3,200 hotel rooms in Doha for around 4,600 passengers, and providing water, comfort items, medical assistance, reissue boarding passes, and even manually resolving complex bookings.
He described the airline鈥檚 operations as undergoing an unprecedented restructuring: more than 151 flights were suspended, aircraft were repositioned, and many crew members exceeded legal working hours. Yet, after the airspace reopened at midnight on Tuesday, the airline gradually resumed service, with diverted aircraft returning to Doha one by one.
He emphasized that the company鈥檚 priorities were clear. It was ensuring passenger safety and comfort, and restoring operations as efficiently as possible. Within just 18 hours, Qatar Airways resumed its scheduled services, operating 390 flights on Tuesday and 578 on Wednesday, demonstrating its depth of experience and readiness.
Al Meer confirmed that all rebooked passengers were accommodated within 24 hours. Around 11,000 resumed travel on Tuesday morning, with the rest departing later that evening or the next morning. No passenger was left without care or assistance.
He also highlighted that over 58,000 travelers departed Doha on Tuesday alone, a strong indication of the airline鈥檚 ability to manage departures, arrivals, and reallocate aircraft and crews efficiently under complex and high-pressure circumstances.
To support affected routes, the airline increased flight capacity and adopted a flexible policy allowing travelers to change or cancel bookings without fees. Call center staff were also increased to meet the surge in demand, coordinating directly with international operations teams and ground handling partners.
Al Meer concluded by saying that this was more than a logistical challenge, it was an existential test that required rapid mobilization across all levels. He praised the dedication of Qatar Airways staff and the patience of passengers, affirming that despite the severity of the crisis, it revealed the discipline, resilience, and sense of responsibility that define the Qatar Airways Group in every circumstance. (QNA)