As airlines grapple to get operations back on track, Qatar Airways has released guidelines for rebooking and refunding flights affected by the recent conflict in the Middle East.
Qatar Airways Group CEO Badr Mohammed Al-Meer has described this week’s events as one of the most complex operational disruptions that few airlines will ever encounter, after a sudden and unprecedented closure of Qatari airspace on Monday, June 23, forced the airline to suspend global operations immediately.
Within hours, Bahrain, the UAE and Kuwait also closed their airspace, bringing Hamad International Airport (DOH) in Doha, a key global hub, to a standstill.
Over 90 Qatar Airways flights carrying more than 20 000 passengers were rerouted to airports across Saudi Arabia, Turkey, India, Oman, the UAE and major hubs in Europe and Asia. Meanwhile, at DOH, more than 10 000 transit passengers were caught in the disruption.
“Every part of the operation had to adapt in real time, without precedent and pause,” Al-Meer said in an open letter to passengers.
The airline activated business continuity plans, provided hotel accommodation for over 4 600 customers, distributed more than 35 000 meals and deployed teams to assist with rebooking and itinerary adjustments.
Click here to view Qatar Airways’ guidelines for rebooking and refunding flights affected by the conflict.
