Middle East escalations: How Qatar Airways was grounded for the first time since the pandemic
June 24, 2025
Qatar Airways, the well-connected global airline that even the pandemic couldn’t stop flying, has been brought to a standstill by the conflict in the Middle East.
Late on Monday, Iran launched an attack on the Al Udeid US military base in Doha. Hours before, Qatar had closed its airspace temporarily, forcing Qatar Airways to pause its flying schedule.
After the attack, multiple airspaces in the region were closed. Qatar Airways confirmed its flights were suspended until further notice.
Temporary Suspension of Qatar Airways Flights
— Qatar Airways (@qatarairways) June 23, 2025
As a result of the closure of air traffic movement in the State of Qatar, we can confirm the temporary suspension of Qatar Airways flights.
We are working closely with government stakeholders and the relevant authorities to support…
How the US attack on Iran brought Qatar Airways to a standstill
Since yesterday’s US strike on Iranian nuclear sites, codenamed Operation Midnight Hammer, the Middle East airspace has been in chaos. Several international airlines pulled service from countries bordering Israel and Iran, including British Airways, which cancelled its flights to Dubai.
But Qatar Airways stoically flew on. During the pandemic, it was one of a very few airlines that never stopped flying at all. It prides itself on reliability, and keeping its customers connected no matter what.
Just yesterday, it posted a detailed statement on social media, admitting there would be inevitable schedule changes, but reassuring its commitment to its passengers.
We have some of the best people in the business working behind the scenes to keep our network strong and secure, and to ensure we remain the airline you can trust and rely on. pic.twitter.com/0GkhDcLVzP
— Qatar Airways (@qatarairways) June 22, 2025
By late afternoon, the mood in Doha had visibly shifted. Amid ‘credible threats,’ the BBC reported the State of Qatar was closing its airspace at approximately 17:00 local time. Citizens were told to ‘shelter in place,’ with foreign governments advising their nationals in the country to do the same.
Flights bound for Doha Airport are diverting to nearby airports. According to media reports the Qatar airspace has been closed. pic.twitter.com/7iztqGKLI1
— Flightradar24 (@flightradar24) June 23, 2025
Dozens of flights in the air were turned around, some heading for hours back to their point of origin. Flightradar noted that, at the moment of the airspace closure, there were 100 flights in the air bound for Doha.
Less than three hours later, Iran launched a strike on the largest US military base in the MIddle East, Al Udeid Air Base, home to about 8,000 citizens.
Shortly after, the UAE and Bahrain closed their airspace, followed by Kuwait and Iraq in quick succession.
Airspace clearing following Iranian missile launch at Qatar today. pic.twitter.com/BghvL4k0il
— Flightradar24 (@flightradar24) June 23, 2025
Flights resume at Doha as Qatar airspace reopens
You can’t keep a good airline down for long, and at around 21:20 UTC, the Qatari Civil Aviation Authority announced a reopening of its airspace. The other closed airspaces in the Middle East had already reopened.
Qatar Airways announced a triumphant return to operations shortly after. There will be some disruption expected, which will ripple through the Qatar Airways network for a few days, but the airline has promised extra staff at Doha to help get its customers on their way.
Qatar Airways confirms reinstatement of flights as airspace reopens in the State of Qatar.
— Qatar Airways (@qatarairways) June 23, 2025
Our focus at this time is to help our passengers return home or reach their onward journey safely and smoothly.
We’ve deployed extra ground staff at Hamad International Airport to support…
By 21:25 UTC, the first flights were already tracking in for an approach to Doha Hamad Airport. The short suspension of flights will have been a concern for passengers, but Qatar Airways has kept its promise of a reliable, relentless service.
