How Qatar Airways can stay in the air
A 70-year-old international aviation law could save Qatar Airways from being completely grounded.
As reported by News Corp, Qatar Airways could save its international flights – that don’t include any of the countries its been banned by – thanks to one little loophole.
Earlier this week, the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain and Egypt all cut ties with Qatar, blocking movement between the countries, which included air transport. It also has prevented Qataris from transiting in airports of these nations.
As a result, Qatar Airways has suspended flights to these nations, while Etihad, flyDubai and Emirates have also stopped flights into Qatar. Yesterday, Qatar Airways responded to the ban in a statement provided to Travel Weekly and other media outlets.
The bans have resulted in the axing of about 100 flights a day, and the grounding of several aircraft.
Qatar is completely surrounded by airspace occupied by Bahrain, Saudi and the UAE, but an international aviation law, news.com.au reports, can allow international passenger flights to overfly territories enroute to somewhere else.
The ‘Transit Agreement’, signed by the UAE, Bahrain and Qatar, means Qatar Airways can fly over Bahrain’s airspace to continue its services, albeit using a single path that gives the planes quick access to Iranian airspace, and causes plenty of congestion.
“Bahrain, Egypt and the UAE have committed under the agreement to permit scheduled flights from the State of Qatar to overfly their airspace,” said CAPA – Center for Aviation, per news.com.au.
“This outcome is most delicate for the UAE, which has upheld itself as a champion of liberalisation and open skies.”
Interestingly, Saudi Arabia has not signed the agreement, so has no obligation to allow transitory flying through its airspace.
However, per news.com.au, CAPA has warned that any of these countries could remove themselves from this agreement, and this could jeapordise the only thing keeping Qatar in the air right now.
“If the theory is clear, the practice is grey: the sensitivity of the dispute and urgency to force action does not necessarily mean the Transit Agreement will be complied with or will be seen as valid.
“There is no police force to enforce commercial international [aviation] compacts. So it often falls to bring antagonists to the table; but here Qatar appears to have little to fight back with — in aviation terms at least.”
And per news, it looks like this worst-case scenario could be coming true, with authorities in Bahrain’s capital of Manama issuing a new flight directive on Wednesday.
“All flights registered in the state of Qatar are not authorised to overfly Bahrain airspace,” the memo stated.
Per news, CAPA says regardless of the outcome – which could very well see the grounding of one of the world’s biggest airlines – the dispute has no doubt seen the reputation of Gulf carriers take a dip.
“Confidence in aviation has been dealt a blow and for aviation there are no long-term winners from this,” CAPA said in a briefing, per news.
“A speedy resolution is needed.”
According to an exclusive report from news.com.au, Australia’s Foreign Minister Julie Bishop says Australia’s relationship with Qatar remains in tact.
Qatar Airways operates daily flights to Doha from Sydney, Melbourne and Perth, plus five flights each week from Adelaide, with plans to extend its services to Canberra this year as well.
“We encourage leaders in the Gulf to maintain dialogue to repair ties as soon as possible and we welcome any efforts to mediate a resolution,” said Bishop, per news.com.au.
“Australia maintains good relations with all member states of the Gulf Cooperation Council, including Qatar.”
Meanwhile, Qatari nationals will not be allowed to board Qantas flights to Dubai because the UAE has banned them from passing through its airports, the airline’s Chief Executive said.
Emirates is a codeshare partner of Qantas.
Email the Travel Weekly team at traveldesk@travelweekly.com.au
-
Latest comments
Latest News
The Walshe Group Announces Two Key Appointments
What we really want to know is whether they got joint or separate welcome parties.
FAMIL: Agents explore the delights of Mauritius on 7-day tour
Go green with envy as you read this fabulous itinerary! Time to book that second honeymoon.
Hamad International recognised as world’s best airport at 2024 Skytrax World Airport Awards
Hamad airport is so good it is almost considered a destination in itself. Ballina, up your game.
Saudi Arabia highlights tourism investment opportunities at global investment event
Now is the time to start looking at Saudi Arabia if you are not already. There's big things to come.
“Rampant” – Aussies warned as dengue fever cases spike in Bali
Worried about Bali belly? Now you have something else to worry about.
TTC Tour Brand reveals slew of deals across operators including Trafalgar and Contiki
Everybody loves a bargain and you could do lot a lot worse than check out these deals from TTC!
Fiji Airways partners with Porter Airlines in US growth bid
Any initiative that gets more people visiting the delights of Fiji is a good initiative.
Flight Centre launches CruiseHQ – a marketplace exclusively for agents
The cruise industry has surpassed pre-Covid levels so this isn't one to miss!
Feeling festive? Wendy Wu tours unwraps Christmas collection
Get the Christmas hols booked now and avoid spending it with that elderly relative with dubious political views.
OPINION: In a world of screens, we crave experience
If you get feelings of deep shame and regret when you see your screen time, don't worry - you're not alone.
Sun Princess: High-end dining and world class entertainment awaits
If you are a foodie and you are not currently on the Sun Princess, we really have to ask - what are you doing?
YouGov: 2 in 5 Aussies would pay more for a sustainable hotel
If you want to be REALLY sustainable you can go camping. You just might lose the will to live.
“Can planes swim?” – Planes become boats as Dubai Airport is savaged by severe storm
Unfortunately, "can planes swim?" is a real life question and not an opener to a really bad joke...
Explora journeys reveals bespoke outdoor furniture designed by Matteo Nunziati
This is making your plastic table and chairs look really bad now, isn't it?
Bangkok Airways targets growth with renewed Sabre deal
Two stories abut Sabre's growth in one week and its only Wednesday! Watchout world.
PR agency Example wins pitch for InterContinental Sydney
We also went in for the contract but they said that a 'Be Our Guest'- themed TikTok was unoriginal! The cheek.
Norwegian Cruise Line reveals culinary experience aboard Norwegian Aqua
Once again, this TW journalist REALLY regrets writing this before getting lunch.
Signature Queensland hosts luxury tourism event
Known for its tropical beaches and unique wildlife, Queensland also offers luxury.
Capella Sydney recognised in prestigious Travel + Leisure’s 2024 ‘it list’ of best new hotels
You know that 'it girl' at school who everyone wanted to hang out with? Capella is the hotel version of that.
Rex launches 72-hour fare sale with NO school holiday blackout so you can take your kids (if you want to)
Sadly, leaving your children at home whilst you go on holiday is generally frowned upon.
Adventure World offers chance to connect with “heart and soul” of the US
I mean who hasn't dreamed of a road trip around the US?! Go with Adventure World and you're less likely to get lost.
Fiji’s family-owned luxury resort Likuliku Lagoon launches its own app
We were relieved to find out that having a "concierge in your pocket" referred to an app on your phone.
Hawaii: The US’ laid-back front door for Australians
If you needed another sign that you should definitely head to Hawaii - this is it!
Sabre targets Asia Pacific growth with latest hire
Call the Avengers! Sabre continues its bid for world domination with latest hire.
Air New Zealand signs its largest EVER deal for sustainable aviation fuel
Air New Zealand makes huge step towards sustainable travel. We bet it recycles its rubbish properly too.
IHG Hotels & Resorts continues regional growth with Sunshine Coast Holiday Inn
This Holiday Inn looks considerably flashier than some of the ones we have stayed at in our time.
Budget carrier Scoot welcomes first of 9 E190-E2 aircrafts
Here at TW we would like to offer Embraer E190-E2 a warm welcome! It's not easy being the first of the fleet.
Singapore Airlines grows group passenger traffic by 13.9% for March
This is one of the few situations where an increase in traffic is a good thing.
Number of Aussies going on cruises beats pre-pandemic levels
To be honest, if being stuck inside for two years doesn't give you the travel bug, then nothing will.
Vietjet slashes prices on flights across Vietnam, India & Australia
You can now fly to Vietnam for less money than a night out in Sydney or Melbourne. Time to reconsider the budget.
The Australian Hotels Association (WA) names accommodation excellence award winners
Think blowing up the airbed for your mate qualifies as accommodation excellence? Think again.
Abercrombie & Kent launches Peruvian riverboat tour
If you think being left at a port is scary? Imagine being stuck in the Amazon.
Club Med Bali reveals last-minute group travel deal
If you haven't frolicked across a beach in Bali with your colleagues have you even lived?
Regent Seven Seas Cruises grows sales team across Australia & New Zealand
It is only Monday and Regent Seven Seas Cruises is already announcing hires. Great stuff!
Out of the Ordinary Outback offers caravanners and campers a free night
It's the perfect getaway if your neighbours are starting to drive you a little insane.
Luxury Escapes reveals third signature series tour with Miguel Maestre
We would recommend reading this after lunch, otherwise you risk slobbering at your desk.
What a daft comment. There’s no evidence that airlines registered in Arab countries have been targeted more than any others by terrorists, in fact quite the opposite. Besides, as with most terrorism your chances of being personally affected are minuscule. You are probably more likely to be killed by a dodgy airline meal than by the plane being blown up. Just returned from a trip to New Zealand with Qatar and was very impressed by the service (Auckland to Doha is the longest scheduled flight in the world incidentally).
arab airlines ? Who would fly them now. They’ve had their day, but any link to terrorism has spelt their demise.