Thousands of Brits could have their flights cancelled after Middle Eastern countries cut ties with Qatar
UK holidaymakers travelling with Emirates, Etihad and Qatar Airways via Doha could all be affected
THOUSANDS of Brits have seen their travel plans thrown into disarray this week following the diplomatic dispute between Qatar and the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Bahrain, Libya and Yemen.
For UK holidaymakers, the biggest effect from the diplomatic dispute is that top airlines Emirates and Etihad have stopped all flights to Qatar, and that those countries have closed their airspace to the national airline Qatar Airways.
They accuse the Brit expat hub of supporting terrorism and opening up the worst rift in years among
some of the most powerful states in the Arab world.
The coordinated move dramatically escalates a dispute over Qatar’s support of the Muslim Brotherhood, the world’s oldest Islamist movement.
The tensions could have far-reaching effects for any Brit flying through the Middle East though.
In the last few years, carriers like Emirates, Etihad and Qatar Airways have become a staple among holidaymakers.
Anyone who is planning to fly direct between Qatar and the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Bahrain will be
impacted by the decision.
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It also affects passengers travelling to or from those countries who were flying via Doha, which all Qatar Airways flights do.
For example, someone travelling from London to Dubai via Doha will not be able to fly.
Passengers who have a ticket on a Qatar Airways flight to or from one of those countries between now and July 6 can claim a full refund, or can re-book a flight up to 30 days from the date of their original journey.
Passengers who are transiting via Doha en route to one of these countries on a Qatar Airways flight are within their rights to demand that the airline books them onto another carrier.
On other airlines like Emirates and Etihad, passengers who were travelling to Qatar will be given a refund on their tickets or placed on another flight that travels to a nearby destination.
Passengers flying from Doha to countries other than United Arab Emirates (UAE), Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Bahrain, Libya and Yemen will be able to continue with their travels without disruption.