Qatar Airways has resumed limited passenger flights from Doha Hamad International Airport starting March 7, 2026, following the partial reopening of Qatari airspace. These operations are primarily dedicated to passenger repatriation, with the number of flights increasing from five to an expected fifteen by March 11. The airspace remains closed to all overflights until at least 1200Z on March 9, according to authorities.
The airline had previously operated relief flights from Muscat using stranded aircraft during the airspace closure and continues to operate limited freighter flights globally amid ongoing restrictions.
Regional Airspace Restrictions and Other Airline Activities
While Qatar Airways adapts to these limitations, Jazeera Airways has announced plans to restart repatriation flights from Qaisumah in Saudi Arabia following permit approvals from Kuwaiti and Saudi authorities. However, ADS-B data suggests these flights have yet to begin. Passengers will need to travel on their own to Qaisumah, approximately 2.5 hours from Kuwait, and must possess valid Saudi visas. Jazeera Airways has been largely grounded since February 28, when Kuwaiti airspace was closed due to regional conflicts.
The airline operates a small number of Umrah charters between Saudi Arabia and Russia using Airbus A320-200 and A320-200N aircraft that were outside Kuwait during the closure.
Currently, Kuwait and Bahrain remain the only Gulf Co-operation Council members with fully closed civilian airspace. The United Arab Emirates reopened earlier, whereas Saudi Arabia and Oman never closed their airspaces. Iran and Iraq remain completely closed to civilian flights.
