Qatar Airways has not only been banned from serving theSaudi Arabiathe BahraintheEgyptand United Arab Emirates and Yemenbut also overflying their airspace. As a result, flights to the west of Doha are now problematic. The ban on overflying countries is forcing the company to take detours over Iran and Turkey to Europe and Iran, then Oman to Africa.
In addition, the suspension of flights to the Gulf countries has deprived Qatar Airways of a small part of the network that feeds its hub. The airline offered flights to nine cities in Saudi Arabia, five in the Emirates and three in Egypt, in addition to Bahrain. Among the routes withdrawn, Doha-Dubai was the busiest international route in the Gulf, with more than 1.5 million passengers. 661,000 seats in the first quarter of 2017 for Qatar Airways alone, with Abu Dhabi and Bahrain accounting for almost 200,000 seats.
However, Qatar Airways remains resolutely optimistic about its future. The elimination of 18 destinations leaves the way clear for the opening of 24 new routes by 2018.
