Qatar Airways Extends Flight Suspension Through 3rd March as Qatari Airspace Remains Closed

Qatar Airways has announced that its flight operations will remain suspended until 3 March 2026, following the continued closure of Qatari airspace amid the escalating regional conflict.

The airline confirmed that it will only resume services once the Qatar Civil Aviation Authority (QCAA) declares the airspace safe for civilian operations. The next official review is scheduled for 3 March at 09:00 Doha time (06:00 UTC), though the airline cautioned that this is a review point rather than a guaranteed reopening, reflecting the ongoing uncertainty surrounding the situation.

The suspension has caused widespread disruption across the region, with thousands of passengers affected and major hubs struggling to manage the cascading impact of airspace closures. Qatar, the UAE, Bahrain and Iraq have all restricted or shut their skies, forcing airlines to ground flights or reroute around the region. This has resulted in significant delays and cancellations across Asia, Europe and South Asia.

The effects of the suspension are being felt acutely in the Maldives, where two Qatar Airways aircraft are currently stranded at Velana International Airport. With outbound flights unable to operate, the aircraft remain parked on the apron.

Many passengers who were scheduled to travel via Doha are now stranded in Male’, facing difficulties securing alternative routes due to the simultaneous shutdown of multiple Gulf transit hubs.

Qatar Airways has urged travellers to monitor real‑time flight information through its official website and mobile app before heading to the airport. The airline is offering passengers the option to refund or change their tickets within a seven‑day window starting from 28 February.

With the next review scheduled for tomorrow morning and no confirmed timeline for reopening, the operational outlook remains highly uncertain. Even once Qatari airspace is cleared for use, Qatar Airways has warned that delays and network disruptions may continue as the airline works to restore normal operations.