Doha's Hamad International Airport now open to foreign carriers

Qatar has reopened its airspace to international airlines, allowing foreign carriers to resume operations through Hamad International Airport (HIA) following closures caused by the Iran war, which began on 28 February 2026.

The Qatar Civil Aviation Authority (QCAA) confirmed it has issued a Notice to Airmen (NOTAM) after a “comprehensive assessment” conducted in coordination with national authorities to ensure operational readiness.

 “All flights and related operations will be carried out in accordance with the highest internationally recognised safety and security standards, with all necessary measures and precautions in place to safeguard passengers and aviation personnel,” a spokesperson for QCAA said. 

International airlines are now returning in phases, with initial services operated through a dedicated flight corridor coordinated with the QCAA. 

Flydubai resumed services on 21 April, followed by Air Arabia on 22 April, with Oman Air, Royal Jordanian, Tarco Aviation and US-Bangla Airlines resuming on 23 April. Middle East Airlines is scheduled to return on 26 April, followed by Himalaya Airlines on 28 April.

Terminal services at HIA have also resumed, including retail, dining and lounge facilities, although some continue to operate at reduced capacity.

RELATED: 

3 GCC airlines rank among Airline Ratings’ global top 10
2026 Skytrax World Airport Award winners revealed

Etihad and Qatar Airways ease loyalty programme requirements

Qatar closed its national airspace on 28 February, leading Hamad International Airport to suspend most regular passenger operations. Limited services resumed on 7 March, when the regulator allowed a partial reopening for evacuation, repatriation and cargo flights, alongside services by the national carrier. From 18 March, Qatar Airways resumed connecting itineraries through Doha, marking the return of transit passengers after a two-week suspension.

During the disruption, Qatar Airways operated limited flights to key European cities including London, Paris, Madrid, Rome and Frankfurt to support stranded passengers while commercial services remained suspended. Operations at HIA were largely limited to the national carrier, with restricted capacity and controlled passenger allocations.

Across the Gulf, flight activity is gradually recovering, with airlines operating at more than 50% of pre-conflict schedules as airspace restrictions ease and routes reopen.

The phased reopening is expected to support a gradual recovery in traffic at HIA, which handled 54.3 million passengers and recorded 282,975 aircraft movements in 2025.

Qatar Airways is preparing to expand its network for the summer season, with plans to operate flights to more than 150 destinations from 16 June to mid-September, including 44 in Europe, 25 in Africa and 46 in Asia. The airline has also extended flexible rebooking and refund policies for passengers affected by the disruption, with travel changes permitted for bookings between 28 February and 15 June 2026.

For more information, visit www.caa.gov.qa