Friday, February 14, 2025

National carriers announce resumption of Qatar-Saudi air transport | Aviation News

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The announcements coincide with the reopening of the land border by Qatar and Saudi Arabia following a landmark deal to end the years-long Gulf crisis.

National carriers from Qatar and Saudi Arabia have announced the resumption of air travel between the two countries from next week, just days after an agreement was reached to end a regional diplomatic dispute over several years.

A Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) summit on Tuesday declared the end of the bitter rift in which members of Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain – as well as Egypt – have blocked Qatar since June 2017. Qatar, accusing it of supporting terrorism, an accusation vehemently denied.

Kuwait and the United States had negotiated reconciliation.

On the eve of the 41st GCC summit held in Saudi Arabia, the kingdom agreed to reopen its air, sea and land borders with Qatar – a major step forward in the Gulf crisis.

State-owned Saudi Arabian Airlines – also known as Saudia – announced on Saturday that it would operate flights from the capital Riyadh and the port city of Jeddah to the Qatari capital Doha from Monday.

Qatar’s national airline also announced on Twitter that it would resume flights to three Saudi cities next week. The first services will take place in Riyadh on Monday.

The border crossing reopened

The announcements came as Saudi Arabia and Qatar reopened a major land border post on Saturday.

Saudi state television Al-Ekhbariya broadcast footage of Qatari cars entering the kingdom through the Salwa border post.

“Thank goodness the crisis has been resolved,” a Qatari in his car told the TV station. “I appreciate the warm welcome from our brothers.”

Some 68 cars entered Saudi Arabia through the crossing, while 20 more left for Qatar on Saturday, a Saudi customs official said.

“The level crossing is in full operation. We welcome the Qatari citizens, ”said the head of customs at the Salwa crossing, Ali al-Aklabi, in Al-Ekhbariya.

Qatar, meanwhile, said arrivals through its border crossing with Saudi Arabia from Saturday would undergo coronavirus-related measures.

These include getting tested for coronavirus and getting a virus-free certificate no more than 72 hours before travel.

All arrivals will also be subject to the hotel’s quarantine for one week, the Qatar government communications office added in an online statement.



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