The Authority assured that “all flights and related operations will be carried out in accordance with the highest internationally recognised safety and security standards”.
The Qatar Civil Aviation Authority (QCAA) has announced the gradual resumption of foreign airlines’ operations to the country via the Hamad International Airport (HIA), the first time since the U.S.-Israel war on Iran broke out on 28 February.
In a statement on Monday, QCAA said it issued a Notice to Airmen (NOTAM) on the update, noting that its decision followed “a comprehensive assessment of the situation”.
“This decision follows a comprehensive assessment of the situation, conducted in coordination with all relevant national entities, to ensure the highest levels of readiness and operational efficiency,” QCAA said.
“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,” the statement added.
The QCAA had ordered the temporary closure of Qatar’s airspace on 28 February as the U.S.-Israel war on Iran broke out and while the country witnessed Iranian attacks—the majority of which were intercepted, ensuring the population’s safety.
The war caused disruption of aviation in the region, with countries especially in the Gulf seeing cancellations of flight operations.
On 6 March, the QCAA announced the partial resumption of air navigation “through designated navigational contingency routes with limited operational capacity, in full coordination with the Qatari Armed Forces”. HIA then saw the operation of limited flights to support stranded passengers.
Qatar also submitted on 20 March an official letter to the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) over the status of air traffic and flight routes at the time.
The letter stated that the Iranian attacks on Qatar constituted “a flagrant violation of the State’s sovereignty and of the provisions of the Chicago Convention on International Civil Aviation”.
“The letter also reviewed the impacts resulting from the closure of the airspace, including the disruption to passenger travel and air cargo movement through the State of Qatar,” QCAA said at the time.
“Qatar emphasised the importance of expediting the reopening of airports, given the region’s status as a global transit hub and its key role in the international air transport sector,” the statement added.
On 2 April, ICAO adopted a resolution based on a working paper submitted by Qatar, Bahrain, Egypt, Jordan, Kuwait, Morocco, Oman, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates over Iran’s attacks.
At the time, ICAO condemned Iran’s attacks and their consequences, which included the closure of the countries’ airspace and the rerouting of flights.