IATA hails return of Gulf-Qatar flights as regional airlines face ‘difficult times’

IATA hails return of Gulf-Qatar flights as regional airlines face ‘difficult times’

The International Air Transport Association (IATA), which is predicting a $7.1 billion loss for Middle East airlines this year amid the ongoing coronavirus crisis, on Saturday welcomed the imminent resumption of flights between Gulf countries and Qatar.

The global aviation authority said the signing of the AlUla agreement will pave the way for commercial airlines to resume regional connectivity which will shorten flight times and provide essential air links to families and businesses across the region.

Officials confirm the UAE will open its borders to Qatar from Saturday following the AlUla peace accord earlier this week

The AlUla Accord was signed earlier this week at the 41st annual gathering of the GCC ending the three-year rift between Qatar, the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain and Egypt.

Muhammad Al Bakri, IATA's regional vice president for Africa and the Middle East, said: "The reopening of airspace with Qatar by Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, United Arab Emirates and Egypt is welcome news for the region, passengers and the aviation industry during these very difficult times.

"It will permit the resumption of direct flights between these countries and Qatar, eliminating complex transit travel itineraries that saw typical journey times increase from under an hour to over five hours in some cases.

"The