‘Most complex': Inside the 24 hours that brought Qatar airspace to a close
Two days after Qatar Airways was forced to close its major hub airport because of a missile attack, the president of the airline has offered a glimpse of the logistical challenge it faced in the 24-hour period.
Badr Mohammed Al Meer called his Middle Eastern nation's diversions of 100 planes simultaneously that day the 'most complex' in modern history.
It took 24 hours to re-route more than 20,000 passengers aboard 90 flights sent away from Doha in midair. They were diverted just before Iran fired a salvo of missiles into Qatari territory on Tuesday (AEST).
Qatar's synchronised global operation was, 'in an instant, scattered into dozens and dozens of disrupted flight scenarios across continents, each with their own complexities and requirements,' Meer wrote in an open letter.
Travellers 'found themselves caught in the middle of one of the most severe and complex operational challenges in modern aviation history,' he wrote.
Iran targeted the US military presence at Al Udeid Air Base, which sits 33 kilometres west of the main Doha airport, at around 7.45pm on Monday Doha time (2.45am Tuesday AEST).
Of the flights, 25 were diverted to Saudi Arabia, 18 to Turkey, 15 to India, 13 to Oman, and 5 to the United Arab Emirates. The remaining aircraft were re-routed to hubs in London, Barcelona and across Europe, Asia, and the Middle East, Qatar said. Qatar Airways operates a fleet of more than 250 planes.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Age
10 hours ago
- The Age
Trump warns US could bomb Iran again if uranium enrichment resumes
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi said in a post on X in the early hours of Saturday: 'If President Trump is genuine about wanting a deal, he should put aside the disrespectful and unacceptable tone towards Iran's Supreme Leader, Grand Ayatollah Khamenei, and stop hurting his millions of heartfelt followers.' Trump also said he had been working on the possible removal of sanctions on Iran in recent days, to give the Middle Eastern country a chance for a speedy recovery. But, he said, he had now abandoned that effort. 'I get hit with a statement of anger, hatred and disgust, and immediately dropped all work on sanction relief, and more,' he said. The president said on Wednesday that the US and Iran would talk next week and 'may' sign an agreement. Tehran has denied that discussions are scheduled to resume. Strikes 'without question' Trump said at a White House news conference that he did not rule out attacking Iran again when asked about the possibility of new bombing of its nuclear sites if deemed necessary. 'Sure, without question, absolutely,' he said. Trump said he would like inspectors from the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) – the UN nuclear watchdog – or another respected body to inspect the nuclear facilities after they were bombed last weekend. The president has rejected any suggestion that the damage to the sites was not as profound as he has said. Loading IAEA chief Rafael Grossi said this week that ensuring the resumption of inspections was his top priority as none had taken place since Israel began attacking Iran on June 13. The IAEA reported in May that Iran had amassed 409 kilograms of uranium enriched to 60 per cent – an almost 50 per cent increase from the volume recorded three months prior. Iran maintains that its nuclear program has no military dimension. But on June 12, the IAEA said Iran had breached its responsibilities to co-operate with inspectors and that the agency was unable to determine whether the country's nuclear program was 'exclusively peaceful'. The location of Iran's highly enriched uranium is now an open question. According to Grossi, it was last seen by agency monitors a few days before the start of Israel's bombing campaign, which provoked a halt to inspections. At that point, the stockpile was at the Isfahan Nuclear Technology and Research Centre, a hub for chemical processes that turn uranium ore into feedstock that can be enriched. This facility in central Iran was targeted by Israel and later the US. Iran said in a note circulated at the IAEA and dated three weeks before Israel's first strike that in the event of such an attack, Iran would take 'special measures' to move the highly enriched uranium to a fortified location. After the bombardment began, Grossi said he received a letter from the Iranian foreign minister, saying those measures had been implemented. Iranian authorities have not responded to Grossi's demands to inform his inspectors of the new location, and on Wednesday, Iran's parliament approved moves to suspend such inspections. Araqchi also indicated on Friday that Tehran might reject any request by the head of the agency for visits to Iranian nuclear sites. The risk is that Iran's already near-weapons-grade uranium could be hidden away indefinitely. According to the IAEA, the amount of uranium Iran is known to have can be stored in 16 cylinders measuring 91.4 centimetres in height, about the size of a large scuba-diving tank. Each one would weigh about 25 kilograms – light enough to be carried on a person's back.
Sydney Morning Herald
10 hours ago
- Sydney Morning Herald
Trump warns US could bomb Iran again if uranium enrichment resumes
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi said in a post on X in the early hours of Saturday: 'If President Trump is genuine about wanting a deal, he should put aside the disrespectful and unacceptable tone towards Iran's Supreme Leader, Grand Ayatollah Khamenei, and stop hurting his millions of heartfelt followers.' Trump also said he had been working on the possible removal of sanctions on Iran in recent days, to give the Middle Eastern country a chance for a speedy recovery. But, he said, he had now abandoned that effort. 'I get hit with a statement of anger, hatred and disgust, and immediately dropped all work on sanction relief, and more,' he said. The president said on Wednesday that the US and Iran would talk next week and 'may' sign an agreement. Tehran has denied that discussions are scheduled to resume. Strikes 'without question' Trump said at a White House news conference that he did not rule out attacking Iran again when asked about the possibility of new bombing of its nuclear sites if deemed necessary. 'Sure, without question, absolutely,' he said. Trump said he would like inspectors from the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) – the UN nuclear watchdog – or another respected body to inspect the nuclear facilities after they were bombed last weekend. The president has rejected any suggestion that the damage to the sites was not as profound as he has said. Loading IAEA chief Rafael Grossi said this week that ensuring the resumption of inspections was his top priority as none had taken place since Israel began attacking Iran on June 13. The IAEA reported in May that Iran had amassed 409 kilograms of uranium enriched to 60 per cent – an almost 50 per cent increase from the volume recorded three months prior. Iran maintains that its nuclear program has no military dimension. But on June 12, the IAEA said Iran had breached its responsibilities to co-operate with inspectors and that the agency was unable to determine whether the country's nuclear program was 'exclusively peaceful'. The location of Iran's highly enriched uranium is now an open question. According to Grossi, it was last seen by agency monitors a few days before the start of Israel's bombing campaign, which provoked a halt to inspections. At that point, the stockpile was at the Isfahan Nuclear Technology and Research Centre, a hub for chemical processes that turn uranium ore into feedstock that can be enriched. This facility in central Iran was targeted by Israel and later the US. Iran said in a note circulated at the IAEA and dated three weeks before Israel's first strike that in the event of such an attack, Iran would take 'special measures' to move the highly enriched uranium to a fortified location. After the bombardment began, Grossi said he received a letter from the Iranian foreign minister, saying those measures had been implemented. Iranian authorities have not responded to Grossi's demands to inform his inspectors of the new location, and on Wednesday, Iran's parliament approved moves to suspend such inspections. Araqchi also indicated on Friday that Tehran might reject any request by the head of the agency for visits to Iranian nuclear sites. The risk is that Iran's already near-weapons-grade uranium could be hidden away indefinitely. According to the IAEA, the amount of uranium Iran is known to have can be stored in 16 cylinders measuring 91.4 centimetres in height, about the size of a large scuba-diving tank. Each one would weigh about 25 kilograms – light enough to be carried on a person's back.
West Australian
12 hours ago
- West Australian
Virgin Australia expands Qatar Airways alliance with launch of Perth to Doha route
Despite the travel chaos that dominated news headlines earlier this week, the show still went on for Virgin Australia, with the carrier launching its inaugural Perth to Doha route on Thursday. As part of its milestone partnership with Qatar Airways, the airline has been phasing in its highly anticipated return to long-haul international flying over the past two weeks, and Perth has become the third Australian city to join the expanded network. The maiden departure from Perth International Airport was a positive sign for the aviation industry after the widespread disruptions caused this week by the ongoing conflict in the Middle East. The new Virgin Australia routes to Doha use Qatar's aircraft, which are equipped with the ultra-luxe Qsuite business class and feature the widest economy seats in the industry. The alliance between the two carriers is significant as it connects Aussies to more than 170 destinations worldwide and will grow the capacity of flights from Australia to Doha to 2.65 million seats a year by the end of 2025. There are also plenty of loyalty benefits for travellers who value their frequent flyer status. Velocity members will receive 50 per cent bonus status credits on bookings made from now to June 30 for travel between October 1 and May 27 2026 on eligible Virgin Australia flights between Australia and Doha. From October 1, Velocity will increase the number of status credits members will earn on the new routes to ensure consistency across Virgin Australia and Qatar Airways services. Silver members will score 50 per cent bonus points, with 75 per cent for Gold members, and 100 per cent for Platinum — in addition to the benefits already available to Velocity members, from business class upgrades to dining vouchers at Hamad International Airport, premium lounge access, and extra baggage allowance. Virgin Australia is celebrating the launch with a sale on fares to Doha and selected destinations in Europe. Travellers can save up to 15 per cent on eligible fares for travel between October 15 and March 31 2026, if booked by 11.59pm Eastern States time on June 30. Conditions apply. See more at
