DOHA: The ongoing diplomatic rift between Qatar and its Gulf neighbours has resulted in huge disruption of flights to and from Qatar, forcing its official airline to fly around airspaces of Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, the United Arab Emirates, and Egypt.
The Qatar Airways, following disruption of flights departing and arriving at the Qatari capital of Doha, has been making for longer routes, the Al Jazeera reported.
The airspace controversy originates from a bigger diplomatic dispute between Qatar and several other nations.
On Monday, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, UAE and Egypt, among other countries, cut off all ties with Qatar, accusing Doha of supporting terrorism and meddling in the internal affairs of its fellow members in the GCC - something Qatar denies.
In the meantime, several airlines have suspended flights to Doha, a major international transportation hub. Etihad, Emirates, Saudi Arabian Airlines, flydubai and Air Arabia have all cancelled their flights to the Hamad International Airport, one of the biggest airports in the Gulf region.
Qatar Airways offices in Saudi Arabia have been closed and the Qatari national airline no longer flies to the UAE, Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, and Egypt, according to the Doha-based, state-funded broadcaster.