Qatar Airways Navigates Turbulence Amid Missile Attack on Doha
Flights en route to Doha carrying 20,000 passengers were mid-air when Iran carried out missile attacks.
People gathered at Hamad International Airport, Doha, as the airline's planes began to fly again post-crisis. (Reuters)
In an unprecedented episode, over 90 Qatar Airways flights carrying around 20,000 passengers were disrupted when Iran launched a missile attack at a US military base in Qatar. Engineer Badr Mohammed Al-Meer, the airline's group chief executive, shared the details in an open letter to passengers.
Al-Meer unveiled that nearly 100 aircraft were en route to Doha, some already landing on runways, while others lined up for takeoff at Hamad International Airport when the missile strike occurred. The airline was compelled to divert flights, with 25 planes landing in Saudi Arabia, 18 in Turkey, 15 in India, 13 in Oman, and five in the UAE. The remaining aircraft were re-routed to major hubs like London, Barcelona, and others across Europe, Asia, and the Middle East.
Hamad International Airport, one of the world's busiest and most connected global hubs, found itself in the thick of action. Over 4,600 customers were accommodated in hotels, using around 3,200 rooms across Doha. Passengers received onward boarding passes even before leaving the terminal, and over 35,000 meals were served, along with water, comfort kits, and reassurance provided face-to-face, flight by flight.
Following the US's attack on three Iranian nuclear sites, Tehran retaliated with a missile attack at the US's Al Udeid military base in Qatar. This event led to temporary airspace closures in Bahrain, Kuwait, and other regional countries. Notably, at the time of the attack, over 10,000 passengers were in transit within Hamad International Airport.
Adapting to the rapidly evolving situation, Qatar Airways' business continuity plans were swiftly activated. Resource planning, catering, ground transport, hotel accommodation, and real-time alignment with passenger movements, immigration, customs, and other stakeholders were prioritized to ease the passengers' journey.
Within 18 hours of the incident, Qatar Airways resumed scheduled operations, having cleared approximately 20,000 passengers in 24 hours. The airline faced numerous challenges, including rerouting plans and accommodating a surge in passengers after briefly reopening the airport.
In conclusion, the resilient efforts of Qatar Airways ensured that the majority of passengers stranded due to the unexpected event were able to continue their journeys within a day. Amidst the geopolitical tensions, the airline stood steadfast, catalyzing a remarkable demonstration of dedication and service to its passengers.
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Waheed Abbas assists in covering real estate, aviation, and other business stories.
Sources:
- Al Jazeera. (2025). Al Udeid Airbase: What we know about Qatar missile attack. [online] Available at: https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2025/6/24/al-udeid-airbase-what-we-know-about-qatar-missile-attack [Accessed 24 Jun. 2025].
- CNN. (2025). US military confirms Qatar intercepted Iranian missiles aimed at at Al Udeid Air Base. [online] Available at: https://www.cnn.com/2025/06/23/politics/us-military-qatar-iran-missile-attack/index.html [Accessed 24 Jun. 2025].
- Reuters. (2025). Middle East Crisis: What we know about attacks on US bases in Iraq and Qatar. [online] Available at: https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/middle-east-crisis-what-we-know-about-attacks-us-bases-iraq-qatar-2025-06-23/ [Accessed 24 Jun. 2025].
- The turbulence in Doha extended to the real estate sector, as some potential buyers and sellers had their property transactions delayed due to the military conflict.
- With Iran's missile attack on the Al Udeid military base in Qatar igniting travel chaos, the general news outlets and crime-and-justice channels became awash with accounts of stranded passengers and diverted flights.
- Hamad International Airport's food services took an unexpected boost during the crisis, serving over 35,000 meals to passengers while they navigated the disruption caused by the missile attack.
- The airspace closures in neighboring countries, such as Bahrain and Kuwait, brought a temporary halt to numerous business and travel ventures, causing numerous delays and cancellations.
- As the war-and-conflicts between Iran and the US escalated, political tensions also rose, affecting various aspects of daily life, from real estate dealings to travel itineraries.
