The Middle East’s flagship carriers are suspending flights to Qatar after a major diplomatic crisis roils the region.
Etihad, Emirates, Fly Dubai and Gulf Air said Monday they would halt all flights in and out of Doha, the Qatari capital, starting Tuesday morning.
The decision came after the governments of Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, the United Arab Emirates, Yemen and Egypt broke off relations with Qatar, accusing it of supporting terrorism.
Kuwait and Oman are the only members of the Gulf Cooperation Council that have not joined the boycott.
Saudi Arabia banned Qatar Airways from flying to the kingdom, or using its airspace, starting Tuesday. And all Saudi carriers were banned, with immediate effect, from flying to Doha.
The UAE said it was closing its airspace and seaports for Qataris and “banning all Qatari means of transportation.”
Gulf Air, the national carrier of Bahrain, said its Doha service would also be suspended until further notice.
The Qatari government expressed its dismay at its neighbors’ moves to isolate it, calling the decision “unjustified and based on baseless allegations.”
Qatar Airways, the country’s flag carrier, didn’t respond to requests seeking comment.
