Qatari nationals in Bahrain, Saudi Arabia and the UAE have been given two weeks to leave.
Qatar denies backing militants and its foreign minister has called for “a dialogue of openness and honesty”.
Egypt has announced it was closing off its airspace to Qatar from 04:00 GMT on June 6 “until further notice”.
Travel disruption is expected as the airport in Doha, Qatar’s capital, is a major hub for international flight connections.
Image source Wikipedia
Airlines affected will include Qatar Airways, Etihad Airways and Emirates.
When avoiding the massive neighbor to the west, Saudi Arabia, Qatari planes will inevitably have to take longer routes leading to longer flight times.
However, Qatar’s Foreign Minister, Sheikh Mohammed Bin Abdulrahman al-Thani, told broadcaster Al Jazeera the country would “still have access to the world through international sea lanes and international airspace”.
An anonymous Somali official told AP at least 15 Qatar Airways flights had used Somalia’s airspace on June 5, many more than on a normal day.
The states joining the move against Qatar, a tiny but gas-rich peninsula, on June 5 include some of the biggest powers in the Arab world.
Saudi Arabia, Bahrain and the UAE closed all transport ties by air, land and sea to Qatar.
They gave all Qatari visitors and residents two weeks to leave their territory, and banned their citizens from travelling to Qatar.
The UAE and Egypt expelled Qatari diplomats, giving them 48 hours to leave.
Saudi Arabia closed down a local office of Al Jazeera, but said Qatari citizens would still be allowed to take part in the annual Hajj pilgrimage to Mecca.
Egypt, Yemen, Libya’s eastern-based government and the Maldives later followed suit in severing diplomatic ties.
Emirates has decided to suspend flights over Iraq to protect against the threat of Islamic militants on the ground.
The airline was taking “precautionary measures” and “working on alternative routing plans for flights using Iraqi airspace”.
The move follows the Malaysian Airlines’ Flight MH17 disaster. MH17 was shot down while flying over Ukraine.
Emirates said it is already re-routing some flights.
It will take a few days for the re-routing to be completed, the airline added.
Emirates has decided to suspend flights over Iraq to protect against the threat of Islamic militants on the ground (photo Emirates)
“We are closely monitoring the situation along with international agencies, and will never compromise the safety of our customers and crew,” said Emirates.
Emirates’ president Sir Tim Clark told The Times MH17 “changed everything” and it was “very nearly in European airspace”.
Tim Clark said he thought other airlines would follow.
He predicted the airline industry would start to look at how it assessed the danger of flying over conflict zones.
Tim Clark said he was “not comfortable” with the situation in Iraq, as fighting in the country intensifies.
The MH17 disaster is largely attributed to a missile fired on the ground in Ukraine by pro-Russian rebels, although Russia has blamed the Ukrainian government.
Emirates’ president told The Times greater intelligence from the government about the safety of airspace would be welcome.
Qantas Airways has been given initial approval from Australia’s competition authority for its proposed alliance with Dubai-based Emirates.
The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) said the benefits of the tie-up – such as co-ordinating ticket prices and schedules – would outweigh the reduced competition.
It will make a final decision in March.
Qantas and Emirates announced their alliance plans back in September. Neither is investing in the other.
“The ACCC considers that the alliance is likely to result in material, although not substantial, benefits to Australian consumers,” ACCC chairman Rod Sims said in a statement.
“The main benefit arising from the alliance is an improved product and service offering by the two airlines to their customers.”
Qantas Airways has been given initial approval from Australia’s competition authority for its proposed alliance with Dubai-based Emirates
Qantas is seeking the alliance as it aims to turnaround its loss-making international service.
“A key objective is to make Qantas International strong and viable, and bring it back to profitability,” said Alan Joyce, chief executive of Qantas.
“This partnership will help us do that.”
The tie-up with Emirates will see Qantas end its existing relationship with British Airways.
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