Qatar Airways Issues Statement After June 23 Airspace Crisis
Qatar Airways addresses passengers after a sudden airspace closure halted flights and disrupted over 20,000 travelers across continents.
Qatar Airways Group CEO Engr. Badr Mohammed Al Meer has addressed passengers in an open letter following the major operational crisis on June 23, which brought the airline’s global operations to a halt after airspace closures triggered by a missile strike from Iran.
فيديو ذات صلة
This browser does not support the video element.
Sudden airspace shutdown halts Qatar Airways operations
At around 6:00 PM on June 23, Qatari airspace was abruptly closed, followed quickly by Bahrain, the UAE, and Kuwait. The closures forced Qatar Airways to suspend all flights immediately, grounding operations at Hamad International Airport — one of the busiest hubs in the world.
The shutdown came as Iran launched a missile attack targeting Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar, triggering defense responses that closed the skies. At that time, nearly 100 Qatar Airways aircraft were either en route to Doha or preparing to depart.
Over 20,000 passengers affected across multiple countries
According to the airline, more than 90 flights carrying over 20,000 passengers had to divert in real time.
-
25 flights were rerouted to Saudi Arabia
-
18 to Turkey,
-
15 to India,
-
13 to Oman,
-
5 to the UAE,
-
Others went to hubs in Europe and Asia
Meanwhile, 10,000 passengers already inside Hamad International Airport were left in limbo as departures were paused until just after midnight on June 24.
Chaos met with rapid response
The airline activated its crisis management plans, mobilizing teams to provide immediate support across ground handling, rebooking, accommodations, catering, and medical assistance. Over 4,600 passengers were offered hotel stays, and more than 35,000 meals were distributed. Teams manually rebuilt complex itineraries and supported travelers with visa and health concerns.
Flights resume within hours
Despite the scale of the disruption, scheduled flights resumed just 18 hours later. By June 24, Qatar Airways had operated 390 flights, successfully clearing all diverted passengers within 24 hours. The airline noted that no travelers remained stranded as of June 25.
The operation quickly returned to near-normal, with 578 scheduled flights the next day, marking a rapid recovery driven by coordinated efforts across the airline’s global network.
CEO thanks passengers and staff
In his letter, Al Meer expressed gratitude to passengers for their patience and praised Qatar Airways staff and partners for their dedication during the crisis. He emphasized that the airline is committed to maintaining trust, especially during moments of uncertainty.
“Millions place their trust in Qatar Airways,” Al Meer wrote. “That trust is earned through action, and a readiness to act when it matters most.”