Free food, quick visas, hotel stay: How Doha managed airspace closure

Dubai: For Dubai resident and managing director of Arooha Travels, Rashid Abbas, a routine business trip to Qatar turned into a harrowing experience when he found himself caught in the geopolitical crossfire during Iran's attack on a US base in Qatar on Monday.

Despite the alarming circumstances that led to widespread airspace closures and flight disruptions across the region, Abbas said the efficient management and hospitality from Qatar Airways and Hamad International Airport (HIA) was commendable.

“They took very good care of every passenger at the terminal at that time,” said Abbas.

Abbas, a travel industry professional, said he was on board an aircraft that was supposed to return to Dubai at the time the incident took place.

Abbas had planned to return to Dubai via a 6:05 pm Qatar Airways flight to Sharjah on June 23, Monday evening, the night the attacks took place. However, announcements began as the clock approached departure, hinting at delays. "At 6 pm, the flight pilot informed us they weren’t getting clearance from the ATC to depart. He asked us to expect an hour-long delay,” said Abbas. "After an hour, the announcement came again: 'will update you after some time'."

The gravity of the situation escalated quickly. "After 7:30 pm, we saw some missiles flying overhead. We saw the same sight all of Doha saw that night," he recounted, describing the shock of witnessing the unfolding events with his colleague.

The immediate instinct was to prioritize essentials. “My colleague and I did not have any luggage. We only had a handbag with our essentials, including the passport.” All passengers on the aircraft were moved to the Arrivals terminal, said Abbas.

“The airport is huge, they managed it so well,” Abbas said, referring to Hamad International Airport. He said Qatar Airways' handling of the crisis was incredible, particularly given the number of affected passengers worldwide. “Doha is a huge hub. QA flights from all over the world operate out of Hamad International,” he said.

“There were a lot of people from all over the world... their flights needed to be changed, the queues were long, [but] people were all given free lounge access, food vouchers, and in some cases passengers also got hotel accommodation. They managed it excellently. We didn't feel [abandoned] at all."

His two companions, Indian passport holders, were immediately granted on-arrival visas, allowing them to return to a hotel outside the airport.

Abbas's flight was officially cancelled at 3am. Since he had travel insurance that covered accommodation for delays exceeding four hours, he chose not to seek airport-provided lodging, acknowledging that "there were scores of people who were stuck that night. I did not want to take up the space of a person who would need it more than I do”, he said.

His friend's son, also on a disrupted flight, received hotel accommodation from the airline and managed to return the same night. Abbas ultimately secured a flight back to Dubai with flydubai, returning at 6 pm the following day.

In an official statement sent at 1.26 am Tuesday, Qatar Airways confirmed the reinstatement of flights following the reopening of airspace in the State of Qatar.

The airline had said its focus was to help passengers return home or reach their onward journey safely and smoothly.

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," the airline said.