Qatar Airways (QR, Doha Hamad International) has scaled back flights to 18 destinations ahead of the FIFA soccer World Cup. CEO Akbar Al Baker confirmed the news to reporters in Doha on October 18. Per a Reuters report, he said the decision was made to make room for flights carrying the estimated 1.2 million soccer tourists who will come to Qatar over the four-week event.
Al Baker didn't specify what destinations were impacted, but previous reports have said South Asian airports were the most affected, with flights to Pakistan, Nepal, Bangladesh, and India curtailed. In his comments, Al Baker said the changes were a mix of flight reductions and temporary destination pauses.
"We have reduced and withdrawn from 18 destinations in order to make space at Hamad international airport to bring fans," he said. Qatar Airways normally flies to 24 destinations across Pakistan, Nepal, Bangladesh, and India. ch-aviation has approached Qatar Airways for further details on the destinations it intends to reduce and suspend services to.
Meanwhile, Qatar is restricting entry to non-citizens and residents between November 1 and December 23 to those holding a Haya pass that allows them to enter stadiums. Entry on regular tourist and other visas will resume on December 23. Nonetheless, Al Baker says he expects around 500 shuttle flights a day over the period flying in soccer fans as well as hundreds more charter flights and private jets. According to the ch-aviation PRO airports module, 46 airlines are presently flying into Hamad International.
"Our priority is not Qatar Airways' network but giving access to all countries participating and bringing in large numbers of passengers," Al Baker said.
