Qatar Airways suspends all flights after Iranian strikes on US air base
Australian travellers are being warned to closely monitor their flight schedules after several planes were diverted and an airline suspended all flights amid ongoing conflict in the Middle East.
Iran launched an attack on the US' Al Udied Airbase in Qatar overnight, following the US strikes on three Iranian nuclear facilities days earlier.
The attack was thwarted without casualties, Qatari authorities have said.
Flights for a major Middle Eastern airline have been cancelled, causing chaos for thousands of Australian travellers. Picture: Supplied
Qatar Airways temporarily suspended all flights in the wake of the attack, due to the closure of air traffic movement in the State of Qatar.
'We are working closely with government stakeholders and the relevant authorities to support any passengers that have been impacted, and will resume operations when the airspace reopens,' the airline said in an online statement.
'The safety of our passengers and crew remains our highest priority.'
Flights are avoiding Iran as the country launched missiles into US' Al Udied Airbase in Qatar. Picture: Flightradar
The airline has since confirmed it was reinstating its flights as the airspace reopened.
Additional staff have been deployed at Hamad Interational Airport and other airports to assist passengers affected by the delays and cancelled flights.
'As operations resume, we anticipate significant delays to our flight schedule,' the spokesman said.
'We would advise passengers to check qatarairways.com or the Qatar Airways mobile application ahead of travel.'
The temporary closure of the Qatari airspace forced several flights from Australia to divert to other countries.
A Virgin Australia spokesman told NewsWire two flights operated by Qatar Airways had been diverted on the way to Doha.
Flight VA1 (Sydney–Doha) was diverted to Bengaluru and VA15 (Brisbane–Doha) diverted to Muscat.
The flight from Sydney to Doha was forced to perform a U-turn halfway through the flight, before landing in Bengaluru in India.
'Both aircraft landed safely,' they said.
'Guest recovery is being co-ordinated by Qatar Airways, including support on the ground and assistance with onward travel arrangements.'
Qatas have also diverted flights amid the missile strike on US Al Udied Airbase in Qatar. Picture: NewsWire/Tertius Pickard
Qantas flights have also been impacted by the closures, with one flight from Perth to London being diverted to Singapore, carrying 199 passengers and 14 crew.
'Due to airspace closures and congestion through the Middle East resulting in air traffic restrictions, QF9 (Perth-London) has been diverted to Singapore and QF33 (Perth-Paris) is returning to Perth,' the spokesman told NewsWire.
'We continue to monitor airspace availability closely and will alter our schedule as required.
'We thank our customers for their patience and understanding.'
The Qantas spokesman said all passengers and crew would be provided overnight accommodation.
The diverted flight will impact another flight's departure, due to a lack of aircraft on the round, with recovery being assessed.
The QF33 flight from Perth to France has returned to Perth, carrying 216 passengers and 14 crew, while the QF1 flight from Singapore to London is continuing as scheduled, and is travelling north of the impacted airspace.
The Qantas spokesman said the QF2 flight from Singapore to Sydney is not affected.
Flight VA1 from Sydney to Doha was forced to perform a U-turn and diverted to Bengaluru in India. Picture: Flightradar
Passengers scheduled to travel on Virgin Australia flights between Australia and Doha are advised to closely monitor their flight information.
Doha is one of the major stopovers for Australians travelling to Europe, which is entering its summer season.
One Australian who was planning to fly to Dublin on Tuesday told Today he saw 'lights coming from the distance' as missiles hit the skies.
'And at first it sort of it felt like sort of dull fireworks there, with a bit of rumblings going off,' he said.
On Tuesday morning, Foreign Minister Penny Wong condemned Iran's strikes on the US bases of Qatar and Iraq, reiterating calls for 'de-escalation, dialogue and diplomacy'.
'There have been disruptions to flights with temporary airspace closures in the region,' she said.
'Closure of airspace around transit hubs may impact flights globally, causing delays and cancellations. Australians travelling should seek updates from their airlines and follow (Smartraveller).
'Australians in need of emergency consular assistance should contact the Australian Government's 24-hour Consular Emergency Centre 1300 555 135 (within Australia) and +61 2 6261 3305 (from overseas).'
More to come
Originally published as Qatar Airways reinstates all flights after Iranian strikes on US air base
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Career Links events manager Amber Glasper is available to visit local schools for a 20-minute Q&A (email events@ This year, the awards are supported by a new gold partner, Hunter Valley Operations, bringing a strong focus on STEM and innovation. Secondary school winners will also be invited to participate in the 2026 Hunter Innovation Festival. Entries close on October 26. All winners will receive cash prizes and access to mentorships with local industry professionals. Full entry details, resources and inspiration can be found online at Whiteley has opened a 'first-of-its-kind' Human Therapeutics Plant in Tomago. The $25 million purpose-built plant will manufacture alcohol-based hand rubs and over-the-counter medicines for use in hospitals and healthcare facilities across Australia and New Zealand. Once fully operational, it is expected to create 30 new jobs across research, manufacturing, compliance and operations. "This facility is a long-term investment in Australian science, Australian jobs and Australian manufacturing," Whiteley executive chairman Dr Greg Whiteley said. "This sector has long been dominated by multinational corporations. This plant levels the playing field and puts the Hunter Region at the centre of therapeutic manufacturing in Australia." A 92-year-old family business, Whiteley has operated from Tomago since 1995 and continues to expand its footprint both nationally and internationally. In 2024, Whiteley was named NSW Business of the Year and Hunter Business of the Year, and won the Excellence in International Business Award at both the Business NSW and Business Hunter Awards. Whiteley now exports to more than 35 international markets and recently achieved Medical Device Single Audit Program (MDSAP) certification, enabling it to export medical devices from Tomago to the US and Canada. The new facility is designed to Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) standards and is, Dr Whiteley says, the only therapeutic plant in NSW to meet modern fire safety and engineering compliance benchmarks. It will also serve as a hub for collaborative research with leading Australian universities, focused on tackling antimicrobial resistance and chronic biofilm-mediated infections. "This is more than a factory. It's a platform for scientific innovation and global competitiveness," Dr Whiteley said. "We're proud to be turning Australian research into real-world therapeutic products that are made in the Hunter to serve the healthcare system long into the future." Winarch Group has launched a new division dedicated to creating original live content, cultural platforms and community-driven experiences across Australia. It's called Winarch Experience, and it brings together the group's owned and operated platforms, including design market The Finders Keepers and Newcastle's Olive Tree Market. It will also create new original live content, with several projects in development and set to launch in 2026. Winarch Experience joins the group's existing divisions: Winarch Music, which oversees the company's investment, ownership and management of live entertainment venues such as the proposed 10,000-capacity Cedar Mill venue at Morisset; and Winarch Live, which encompasses the group's venue, event, safety and management services. Former Winarch Live head Ewen Craig has moved to Winarch Experience. "This is a unique opportunity to develop innovative live content that advances Winarch's vision through signature events, creative excellence and lasting cultural impact," he said. "Our aim is to create experiences that genuinely connect with people. Winarch Experience is about working with communities, creatives and partners to bring ideas to life in a way that feels fresh, inclusive, and unique." Two local First Nations creatives - Elisha O'Leary of Morisset and Shanaya Buddingh of Floraville - are among nine finalists in the running for the 2025 Indigenous Storytellers Scholarship. Each finalist receives a $1000 prize and mentorship from industry leaders. The winner, announced on July 10 at Murrook Culture Centre during NAIDOC Week, will be awarded a $10,000 scholarship. Now in its third year, presented by Facon Magazine and supported by Greater Bank, the scholarship aims to uplift and empower Indigenous creatives from across NSW, offering access to industry mentors, professional resources, and a platform to share their stories with the world. Wiradjuri woman Shanaya Buddingh will be mentored by accomplished First Nations dancer and choreographer Kassidy Waters. Darkinjung-born Elisha O'Leary, who is of Wiradjuri ancestry, will be mentored by artist and cultural educator Cassie Leatham. Facon editor-in-chief Lara Lupish said the program "reminds us of the importance of cultural representation and the strength of Indigenous storytelling". For details, visit or The next generation of entrepreneurs, problem-solvers and creative thinkers are invited to pitch their ideas to the 2025 Young Business Mind Awards. Students from Newcastle, Lake Macquarie, Maitland, Port Stephens and the Upper and Lower Hunter regions are welcome to submit a short video pitch showcasing their innovation, start-up, community project or sustainable solution. Teachers are also encouraged to enter their own classroom innovations. The awards have, since 2017, celebrated innovation among primary and secondary students, inspiring young people to think like entrepreneurs and develop the confidence to present their business, product or community solution to real-world judges. In 2024, the awards attracted more than 150 students and teachers from 13 local schools. "Every year, we're blown away by the ideas, creativity and entrepreneurial spirit shown by local students. It is more than a competition - it's a launchpad for real-world opportunities, with mentorship and support continuing long after the awards night," Career Links chief executive officer John Purcell said. Career Links events manager Amber Glasper is available to visit local schools for a 20-minute Q&A (email events@ This year, the awards are supported by a new gold partner, Hunter Valley Operations, bringing a strong focus on STEM and innovation. Secondary school winners will also be invited to participate in the 2026 Hunter Innovation Festival. Entries close on October 26. All winners will receive cash prizes and access to mentorships with local industry professionals. Full entry details, resources and inspiration can be found online at
