Source: Qatar Airways
Qatar Airways said it has resumed operations in Iraq and Syria and returned to full flight schedules in Lebanon and Jordan, following the lifting of airspace restrictions.
The reinstated services follow widespread cancellation of operations to Israel, Iraq, Iran, Jordan, Lebanon and Syria as a result of the ongoing conflict and airspace restrictions.
Qatar will resume flights from 30 June in compliance with international aviation regulations for safe aircraft routes, said the Doha-headquartered airline.
Beginning 30 June, Qatar Airways will resume operations at five destinations in Iraq. It will begin reinstating 13 weekly flights to Baghdad International Airport (BGW). Then on 8 July it will resume an additional three flights to BGW.
Starting 1 July, Qatar will begin reinstating its seven weekly flights to Erbil International Airport (EBL), adding another three weekly flights from 9 July.
From 2 July, Qatar will begin adding its seven weekly flights to Sulaymaniyah International Airport (ISU); while from 2 July, the airline will begin reinstating its five weekly flights to Al Najaf International Airport (NJF); and from 3 July, the airline will begin reinstating its seven weekly flights to Basra International Airport (BSR).
Starting 6 July, Qatar will resume its daily service to Damascus International Airport (DAM) in Syria. The service will be complemented by a double daily schedule that will begin on 15 July confirmed Qatar.
Additionally, beginning 1 July, Qatar will resume its full schedule to Lebanon’s Beirut-Rafic Hariri International Airport (BEY) and Jordan’s Queen Alia International Airport (AMM), south of Amman.
Qatar will increase its operations at BEY from 14 to 21 weekly flights with an additional third frequency. The airline will also increase its operations at AMM from 14 to 21 weekly flights with an additional third frequency.
As the conflict in the Middle East continues, there remains a question over the stability of operations, both passeger and cargo.
In addition to existing Middle East tensions, earlier this month, European and North American carriers reportedly cancelled flights to locations such as Dubai, Doha and Riyadh following US strikes on Iran.
Iran then launched missiles against US bases in Qatar and Iraq, causing the closure of Qatar's airspace. Qatar restarted operations from Doha on 24 June, although it had warned of delays for several days afterwards.
On 13 June, Qatar Airways Cargo had temporarily cancelled flights to Iran, Iraq and Syria due to the volatile situation in the region. While flights are back on schedule for the five airports in Iraq and Syria, operations to Iran's Imam Khomeini Airport (IKA), Mashhad Airport (MHD) and Shiraz Airport (SYZ) remain suspended.
"Flights to Iran remain temporarily suspended. Qatar Airways continues to monitor the situation and will provide further updates as they become available," said the airline in a travel alert.
