Emirates, Flydubai, others suspend flights to and from Doha

Emirates, Etihad Airways, Air Arabia and flydubai said on Monday they will suspend all flights to and from Doha starting June 6 and until further notice after the UAE announced it is severing diplomatic ties with Qatar.

In a statement obtained by Per Second News, Etihad said the last flight from Abu Dhabi to Doha will depart at 2.45am on June 6, and the last flight from Doha to Abu Dhabi will depart at 4am (local time) on June 6.

Etihad said it is providing all customers who booked flights to and from Doha with “alternative options including full refunds on unused tickets and free rebooking to the nearest alternate Etihad Airwaysdestinations.”

Similarly, flydubai said it is suspending all flights between Dubai and Doha. In a statement, the carrier urged passengers who have purchased tickets to fly between Dubai and Doha to “contact their travel agent.

Dubai-based Emirates also said it will suspend flights to and from Doha from the morning of June 6. The last flight from Dubai to Doha will depart at 2.30am on June 6, while the last flight from Doha to Dubai will depart at 3.50am on the same day.

“Emirates’ flights to and from Doha today (June 5) will operate as normal. Travellers bound for Doha who are boarding their flight from airports around the Emirates network today will be advised to make alternative arrangements,” an Emirates spokesperson said.

Emirates added, “All customers booked on Emirates’ flights to and from Doha will be provided with alternative options, including full refunds on unused tickets and free rebooking to the nearest alternate Emirates destination.”

The suspension comes after the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, and Egypt said they are cutting ties with Qatar amid escalating tensions over accusations that Doha sponsors terrorism.

The UAE has given Qatari diplomats 48 hours to leave the country.

State news agency WAM said Abu Dhabi accused Doha of “supporting, funding, and embracing terrorism, extremism, and sectarian organizations.”

Qatar Airways responded by suspending all flights to Saudi Arabia.

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