In response to the continued regional airspace closures during Operation Epic Fury, Qatar Airways has announced a temporary Limited Repatriation Schedule from March 9 to March 11, 2026.
This move is a targeted effort to assist stranded travelers and restore essential connectivity, as regular commercial operations at Hamad International Airport (DOH) remain suspended until the Qatar Civil Aviation Authority (QCAA) declares the airspace fully safe.
✈️ 1. The Three-Day Rescue Schedule
The airline has mapped out specific authorized corridors for these restricted flights. Note that these are primarily for outbound departures from Doha and inbound arrivals for residents whose final destination is Qatar.
| Date | Destinations from Doha |
| Monday, March 9 | London (LHR), Seoul (ICN), Moscow (SVO), New Delhi (DEL), Madrid (MAD), Islamabad (ISB), Beijing (PKX), Perth (PER), Nairobi (NBO), and Istanbul (IST). |
| Tuesday, March 10 | Expansion: Cairo, Jeddah, Manila, Kochi, Muscat, Mumbai, Frankfurt, Colombo, Milan, and additional rotations to London and New Delhi. |
| Wednesday, March 11 | Primarily focused on inbound relief, returning travelers from the above cities back to Doha. |
🚨 2. Strict Entry & Booking Rules
To prevent overcrowding and security risks at Hamad International Airport, the following rules are being strictly enforced:
- The “Confirmed Ticket” Rule: Only passengers with a valid, confirmed ticket for these specific relief flights will be permitted to enter the terminal.
- Do Not Head to the Airport: Travelers are urged not to go to the airport to buy tickets or inquire about rebooking.
- Transit Restrictions: Inbound flights are prioritizing passengers for whom Doha is the final destination. Transit through Doha remains highly restricted and is being managed in phases.
💰 3. Flexible Rebooking Options
For passengers with confirmed bookings on cancelled flights between February 28 and March 31, 2026, Qatar Airways has extended the following waivers:
- Complimentary Changes: One-time free date change for travel up to 30 April 2026.
- Full Refunds: Passengers can opt for a full refund of the unutilized value of their ticket.
- Vouchers: A travel voucher with a 10% additional value is available for future use.
🛡️ 4. Operational Context
Despite these limited flights, the regional aviation crisis remains severe.
- Interceptions: Qatari airspace is still on “high alert” following the March 2 engagement where Qatari F-15s intercepted Iranian bombers near Doha.
- Volume: Over 2,000 Qatar Airways flights have been cancelled since February 28, making it one of the most disrupted carriers in the world during this conflict.
Traveler Tip: Check your flight status exclusively via the Qatar Airways App or official website. Due to extreme call volumes (wait times exceeding 4 hours), the airline requests that you only contact their service centers if your travel is within the next 48 hours.
