Gulf Travellers Hit By Restrictions

Qatar is wrestling with Middle East travel restrictions but the dispute is also affecting regional and transit travellers.

- Dominic Ellis

 

It seemed like a regular Monday in Ramadan. The roads and diary were quieter than your average weekday – but then the news broke. Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Bahrain and Egypt had cutties with Qatar in a co-ordinated move, accusing it of supporting Islamist militants and causing regional instability.

Travel always has a propensity to surprise, whether it’s health warnings, travel alerts or aircraft maintenance issues. Airlines are well versed in versatility, rotating aircraft and adjusting capacities. But in this case, airspace restrictions coupled with the country bans had a substantial impact on travel.

Business and politics tend to fly side by side yet this dispute reminds us that when it comes to government-to-government relations, the two are firmly interlinked. The four countries have sent Doha a list of 13 demands, including closing Al Jazeera television and reducing ties to Iran, and given Qatar 10 days to comply.

QUICK ESCALATION

A region synonymous with non-stop aviation growth had to adjust to a new reality as events quickly escalated.

Measures included a blockade of land, sea, and air access and the expulsion of Qatari officials, residents, and visitors from affected countries. In the UAE, Qatar Airways’ shops closed and its website was blocked.