Qatar reopens airspace after Iranian attack as Qantas turns around flights

Qantas has turned back a flight to Europe and diverted another after Qatar closed, and then reopened its airspace in response to the Iranian attack.

Aircraft divert around the flashpoint zones in the Middle East after Iran launched an attack on the Al Udied US Airbase in Qatar, following US strikes on three Iranian nuclear facilities. Picture: Flightradar

Qantas’ Perth-Paris flight has turned back, and the airline’s Perth-London service is heading to Singapore due to the escalating conflict in the Middle East.

The flying kangaroo is among scores of carriers globally adjusting flight routes and cancelling services to avoid the rapidly changing situation, for the safety of passengers and crew.

A Qantas spokesman confirmed QF33 was en route to Paris when the decision was made to return to Perth.

QF9 to London was in Indian airspace when the flight was diverted to Singapore, with passengers and crew to be accommodated overnight in the city-state.

At this stage, QF1 and QF2 which fly Sydney-Singapore-London and return are operating as planned.

Although the Qantas flights had adjusted their routes to avoid the airspace over Iran and Iraq since June 12, it’s understood the closure of Qatari airspace for several hours created more challenges for those 16-hour plus services.

“We continue to monitor airspace availability closely and will alter our schedule as required,” said the spokesman.

“We thank our customers for their patience and understanding.”

Qantas flight QF9 from Perth to London has begun diverting to Singapore. Source: Flightradar24

Virgin Australia flights operated by Qatar Airways also diverted en route from Sydney and Brisbane to Doha, with the former heading to Bengaluru in India and the latter to Muscat in Oman.

Multiple other airlines are also taking action given the situation, and Qatar Airways confirmed the “temporary suspension of its flights due to the closure of air traffic movement in the State of Qatar”.

Hours later, airspace was reopened, and Qatar Airways said flights had resumed but warned passengers to expect “significant delays”.

“Our focus at this time is to help our passengers return home or reach their onward journey safely and smoothly,” said a statement from Qatar.

“We are working tirelessly with government stakeholders and the relevant authorities to restore operations as quickly as possible.

“We have also deployed additional ground staff at Hamad International Airport and other key airports to assist affected passengers by minimising disruptions and offering the utmost care and support to all customers.”

Flightradar showing the turnback of QF33 (Perth to Paris) and the absence of airline activity over Iran and Iraq. Source: Flightradar24

On Tuesday, Emirates was urging passengers to check their flight status but said the airline would continue to operate flights as scheduled “using flight paths well distanced from conflict areas”.

“Some flights may incur delays due to longer re‑routings or airspace congestion, but Emirates’ teams are working hard to keep to schedule and minimise any disruption or inconvenience to our customers,” said the statement.

Singapore Airlines has cancelled two flights a day into Dubai until at least Thursday, and United Airlines has warned passengers that flights to and from Dubai scheduled between June 18 and July 3 may be affected.

United is offering no-fee ticket changes under certain conditions due to Middle East unrest.

The US airline has implemented the same flexibility for Tel Aviv flights between June 13 and August 1, allowing customers to rebook for other major European cities.

Air Canada has temporarily suspended its daily non-stop service from Toronto to Dubai and warned the suspension could be extended.

Travel via a European stopover on a partner airline remains possible, according to its website.

American Airlines is allowing customers to change their bookings to Doha without fees for travel originally scheduled between June 19 and July 20.

Lufthansa and its partners including Swiss and Austrian Air have suspended all flights to the Middle East until at least June 30.

Air France has halted flights to Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, and axed Paris-Tel Aviv until July 14.

With wires

Originally published as Qatar reopens airspace after Iranian attack as Qantas turns around flights