DUBAI // Airline passengers booked on flights out of the UAE via Doha are facing big travel expenses as they try to rebook on new departures due to the Gulf states' isolation of Qatar.
Etihad Airways and Emirates suspended all flights to and from Qatar from Tuesday, as UAE airspace and territorial waters are closed off for Qatari vessels and aircraft.
Budget carriers flydubai and Air Arabia, which flies out of Sharjah, also suspended Qatar-bound flights from Tuesday.
Saudi Arabia, Egypt and Bahrain also severed their ties with Qatar, accusing the Gulf state of supporting terrorism.
The sanctions have created travel chaos at one of the busiest times of the year, as families are looking to escape the region for Eid holidays.
Frenchwoman Sandie Staimesse was booked on a flight to Paris via Doha next week and is waiting to see if she will be refunded the cost of the ticket with Qatar Airways before rebooking elsewhere.
“It is the first time I decided to fly with Qatar as the Emirates flights were expensive,” she said.
“I saw flights had been cancelled to Saudi but was waiting for some information on the UAE. There is no information on the [Qatar] airline website or on social media.
“Hopefully the airline will reimburse me but I’ve no idea when that will be. I may have to postpone my holidays.
“Eid is a popular time, so there will be a lot of travellers who will have to make other plans. It is a huge mess.”
Ms Staimesse paid Dh1,500 for her flight but now prices on other routes have rocketed.
Similar one-way routes to Paris from Dubai for the same date were selling on Monday for Dh3,662 with Air France and Dh3,568 on Emirates.
The UAE, Saudi and Bahrain have also given Qatari nationals 14 days to leave their respective countries, and diplomats 48 hours to exit.
Qatari nationals will not be allowed to enter or transit through the UAE and Emiratis are also prevented from travel to or through Qatar.
“As instructed by the UAE government, Emirates will suspend its flights to and from Doha, starting from the morning of June 6, until further notice,” an Emirates spokesman said.
The last Emirates flight from Dubai to Doha departs at 2.30am on June 6, and the last Dubai arrival from Doha leaves at 3.50am the same day.
Although Emirates flights to and from Doha operated as normal on Monday, travellers bound for Hamad International Airport boarding flights from airports around the Emirates network have been advised to make alternative arrangements.
Emirates customers booked on Doha routes have been provided with alternative options, with full refunds on unused tickets and free bookings to alternative destinations.
Etihad are offering a similar policy for its customers, with the last flight to Doha scheduled for 2.45am on Tuesday and the final inbound flight due to leave Qatar at 4am.
Qatar Airways has suspended all flights to the UAE from June 6 along with flights to Saudi Arabia, Bahrain and Egypt until further notice.
nwebster@thenational.ae
