Qatar Airways Plans Relief Flights via Muscat and Riyadh
Qatar Airways has announced plans to operate a limited number of relief flights through nearby cities while the country’s airspace remains closed. The airline said services will begin on Thursday 5 March, departing from Muscat in Oman and Riyadh in Saudi Arabia, aiming to assist passengers stranded after disruptions linked to the US–Israel and Iran conflict. The situation has affected normal flight operations across the region.
The airline confirmed that it will contact affected passengers directly with details of these flights. Customers have been advised not to travel to airports unless they receive specific instructions from the airline. Qatar’s airspace remains closed for now, and authorities are expected to provide an update on possible reopening after further review of the situation.
Relief flights planned by Qatar Airways
- Muscat (Oman) – services to London Heathrow, Berlin, Copenhagen, Madrid, Rome and Amsterdam
- Riyadh (Saudi Arabia) – service to Frankfurt
Muscat lies roughly ten hours by road from Doha, while Riyadh is about a seven-hour drive away. These cities are being used as temporary departure points while flights from Qatar itself remain suspended.
The wider region has also introduced temporary arrangements to help passengers continue their journeys. The United Arab Emirates operated dozens of special flights during the first days of the disruption, allowing thousands of people to leave the country. Several airlines have resumed selected services from cities such as Dubai, restoring links to destinations including London Heathrow and other international hubs.
People who still intend to travel through the region may encounter delays, different routes or departures from airports outside their original itinerary. Airlines are contacting customers directly to assign seats on the flights that are currently operating while some airports and airspace remain unavailable. Conditions are still shifting, so journeys may change again depending on when restrictions on regional airspace are lifted.