Qatar Airways has restored double-daily passenger services between Doha and Abu Dhabi International Airport (AUH), the carrier said in a statement on May 14, as Gulf aviation gradually recovers from disruption caused by the conflict between Iran, Israel and the United States.
The reinstated route lifts the Gulf airline’s UAE coverage to three destinations, joining existing operations to Dubai International (DXB) and Sharjah (SHJ).
Qatar Airways suspended a broad swathe of regional and long-haul services earlier in the year after hostilities in the Persian Gulf prompted temporary airspace closures across Qatar, the UAE, Bahrain and parts of Iraq. Carriers across the region rerouted or grounded flights amid concerns over missile activity, GPS interference in the Strait of Hormuz and insurance restrictions on operating in affected zones.
The Abu Dhabi resumption follows a wider regional rollout that has seen the carrier return to Baghdad, Basra and Erbil in Iraq, alongside daily flights to Bahrain, Damascus and the Indian city of Kozhikode.
The Doha-based airline, wholly owned by the Qatar Investment Authority, said the resumptions form part of a phased restoration of its network spanning six continents.
Qatar Airways advised travellers to verify schedules through its website and mobile application, and to keep contact details current given the residual risk of further disruption.
“Flight schedules are subject to change or cancellation due to operational, regulatory, safety, or other circumstances beyond our control,” the airline said in a statement.