It had already been over a year and a half since the Kuwait led the negotiations between theSaudi Arabia, Bahrain and the United Arab Emirateson the other with the Qatar. With the aim of re-establishing diplomatic relations between all parties. The severance of relations with Qatar was brutal. At the time, the country was accused of financing Islamic terrorist movements.
Overnight, Qatar found itself totally isolated by a commercial and diplomatic blockade. Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, the United Arab Emirates, Egypt and Yemen immediately suspended air, sea and land links with the small country. The suspension even concerned overflight of the countries.
Residents of Qatar were also banned from entering the countries concerned. The Qatar's resilience has been remarkable. For three years, the country has redirected its traffic flows, mainly via Iran and Oman. Much to the surprise of its neighbours, who thought that the small Emirate would bend.
Qatar Airways hub back in favour
An agreement was finally reached on 5 January. An agreement that immediately led to a return to normal. TheSaudi Arabia - who instigated the breaking off of diplomatic relations with Qatar - and announced that it was reopening its airspace to Qatari aircraft. The same applies to its sea and land links with the country. L'Egypt has just announced a similar decision. The other members of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) should soon follow suit.
The first consequence for travellers in the region: Doha will once again be able to welcome passengers transferring to Saudi Arabia. This marks the airport's return to favour. Hamad International Airport is in fact the second largest hub in the region after Dubai, both in terms of passenger numbers and destinations.
Before the crisis, the Saudi kingdom was one of the most important in the Qatar Airways network. The carrier used to connect ten Saudi destinations. To Egypt, Qatar flew to Cairo, Alexandria and Luxor.
In the United Arab Emirates, Qatar Airways offered flights to Abu Dhabi, Dubai's two airports, Sharjah and Ras Al Khaimah. All these flights should soon return to the Qatar Airways network.
Etihad, Emirates, Saudi Arabian and Air Arabia should soon be visible at the airport. Doha. Barring new restrictions linked this time to the covid-19 pandemic.
