Qatar Airways calls Iran conflict its biggest crisis in 30 years

Qatar Airways has described the ongoing conflict in Iran as its most significant challenge in its 30-year history. Speaking to Bloomberg TV before the Qatar Economic Forum in New York, CEO Hamad Al-Khater said that the crisis has posed a "single largest crisis in our history." The conflict, now in its seventh month, has resulted in a major disruption in one of the world's most crucial aviation markets, a key hub for flights.

Countries in the Arabian Gulf were compelled to close their airspace for a period, leading to the cancellation of tens of thousands of flights. International travel advisories and concerns over safety contributed to a decline in tourist visits to the Middle East. The war has also impacted consumer behavior, with passengers tending to delay their bookings.

Higher fuel prices have forced airlines to cut capacity and discontinue less profitable routes to conserve cash, according to Al-Khater. Despite these challenges, demand remains robust, and Qatar Airways has returned to the same number of routes as pre-war operations. The airline is also monitoring fuel prices closely, given the global oversupply of crude oil.