Traduction en carte : un couloir spécifique ouvert aux avions de Qatar Airways.
Qatar Airways aircraft can now access limited Bahraini and the UAE airspace after the nations approved a new route for the airline.
The move follows a directive from a UN aviation body to Gulf states, telling them to honor their airspace agreements with Qatar.
The route opening is being seen as a significant step, some two months after the introduction of punitive airspace restrictions were put into place.
The countries made the announcement through NOTAMs (information notices for pilots). The route is effective from Aug. 7 until Nov. 6 this year.
Only aircraft heading into Doha can use the airway, but it should make flight planning a little easier for Qatar Airways.
The carrier must currently route all of its aircraft through very limited air corridors in and out of Doha.
Access to Bahrain’s airspace is critical for the airline, as it actually encircles Qatar.
Bahrain has also signaled further changes to airspace access in another NOTAM it published effective Aug. 17, but has not yet given any more details about it.
The decision to open up the new airway comes a week after the International Civil Aviation Organization met at Qatar’s request to discuss the legality of closed air links.
In a statement today, Qatar Civil Aviation Authority (QCAA) Chairman Abdullah bin Nasser Turki Al-Subaie said that new route was a direct result of the ICAO meeting.
The airway is over international waters, an area which is supposed to be available to everyone, the statement added.
However, it’s important to note that Qatar Airways aircraft are still not allowed to fly over UAE and Bahrain directly.
Since the blockade began, Qatar Airways aircraft have been unable to fly over or into Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Egypt and the UAE.