Qatar Airways

"Relief, it appears, will come from Qatar Airways, which has been tapped to take over an unspecified number of domestic flights within Iran. The unprecedented announcement was promptly followed by news that the Doha-based airline plans to greatly expand its flight offerings to Iranian cities... Few details were provided, but based on the agreement Qatar Airways will have to cooperate with Iranian airlines as required by Iranian regulations banning foreign companies from operating domestic routes. The measure is also seen by some as a means of countering sanctions... 'Allowing Qatar or any other foreign country to operate some of our domestic flight is aimed at diminishing the pressure of the sanctions, and it is a suitable policy under the current conditions,' Iranian lawmaker Ali Akbar Moghanjoughi was quoted as saying about the agreement... For its part Qatar Airways announced on October 31 a '150 percent increase in overall frequency' of its flights to Iran beginning December 1. The airline said there will be an additional 31 flights each week from Doha, with the historic city Isfahan being added as a destination city. Qatar Airways has already flights to three major Iranian cities: Tehran, Mashhad, and Shiraz... 'Today's announcement is a historic moment showing the strengthening of ties between our two countries,' Qatar Airways Chief Executive Officer Akbar Al Baker said... 'It's going to be seen -- in Washington certainly -- as one more example of Qatar not being as cooperative as United States would like about sanctions. I don't think Qatar is violating any laws here but they're certainly violating the spirit of isolating Iran,' Hounshell said... 'Iran Air was founded 25 years (in 1946) before Qatar gained its [independence] (in 1971), 'read a message widely shared on Facebook that warned, 'Qatar is conquering Iran's airspace.'... On the other hand, she says, people will feel safer flying with Qatar Airways instead of Iranian airlines that have suffered a number of tragic accidents in recent years... 'I will definitely choose Qatar Airways over those Soviet-made planes, even if I have to pay more,' says one man in Tehran, noting that officials have announced that the cost of the Qatar Airways-operated flights would be 25 percent higher than those run by Iranian airlines." (Radio Farda, "Qatar Conquers Iran's Airspace," 11/5/2011) (http://www.rferl.org/content/qatar_conquers_irans_airspace/24382213.html)

In a press release published on its site, Qatar Airways announced 31 extra flights/week across four Iranian cities, representing 150% capacity hike, beginning in January 2012. (Qatar Airways, "Press Releases," 10/31/2011). (http://www.qatarairways.com/us/en/press-release.page?pr_id=pressrelease_pressrelease_20111031)

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"Qatar Airways will continue to fly to Iran and has not lost any bookings during a recent spike in Middle East tensions, Chief Executive Akbar al-Baker said on Wednesday." (Reuters, "Qatar Airways to continue to fly to Iran - CEO," 1/15/2020). (https://www.reuters.com/article/qatar-airlines-iran/qatar-airways-to-continue-to-fly-to-iran-ceo-idUSB2N27J02G)

"Flight Radar data shows increased traffic over Iran indicating Qatar Airways is working with the Islamic Republic to reroute flights to other destinations over Iranian airspace. The airspace over Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain and Egypt is closed for any Qatar registered aircraft due to sudden political issues." (July 5, 2017). (https://www.eturbonews.com/156437/qatar-airways-mass-cancellations-shifting-routes-iranian-airspace)

"Outside carriers including Qatar Airways Ltd. have increased services to Iran to fill gaps where the Islamic republic’s own operators are struggling to operate." (Bloomberg, "Iran Air Lifts Foreign Fares 90% as Sanctions Push Up Fuel Costs," 11/25/2012) (http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2012-11-25/iran-air-lifts-foreign-fares-90-as-sanctions-push-up-fuel-costs.html)

"Though Qatar has followed in the footsteps of most of its Gulf neighbors by recalling its ambassador to Tehran yesterday, the country does not appear to be completely cutting off ties to Iran, as Saudi Arabia has done. For example, though the kingdom has stopped flights to and from Iran, Qatar’s national carrier has no plans to do the same. Speaking to Doha News, a Qatar Airways spokesperson said that it had no information regarding the suspension of flights to and from the three Iranian cities the airline flies to, adding that travelers can still book tickets to Tehran, Mashhad and Shiraz online." (January 7, 2016). (https://dohanews.co/qatar-recalls-its-ambassador-to-iran/) (https://dohanews.co/tag/qatar-airways/) (http://www.qatarairways.com/qa/en/homepage.page) (https://dohanews.co/qatar-airways-to-continue-flying-to-iran-despite-ambassadors-recall/)

"Qatar Airways operated two early morning services to Tehran on Friday, according to its website." (Reuters, "Factbox: Flights to Tehran canceled after Canada says Iranian missile brought down Ukraine jet," 1/10/2020). (https://www.reuters.com/article/us-iraq-security-airlines-safety-factbox/factbox-flights-to-tehran-canceled-after-canada-says-iranian-missile-brought-down-ukraine-jet-idUSKBN1Z91DM)