New Delhi: Journey between India and Doha could be longer by 30 minutes to an hour and a half or so in either direction due to airspace ban for flights to and from Qatar imposed by United Arab Emirates(UAE). Indian carriers Jet Airways, Air India Express and Indigo have now started operating flights to Qatar capital Doha from India via Pakistan and Iran airspace following restrictions imposed by the UAE. More than 28 lakh passengers flew to and from Indian cities and Doha in 2016. Longer flying hours might trigger hike in operating costs and fuel costs.

As many as seven countries — Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Egypt, Yemen, Libya’s eastern-based government and the Maldives — have severed diplomatic ties with Qatar, accusing the latter of extending support to extremists. On Monday, the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation said it was closing the airspace and seaports for all Qataris. Besides, there is a ban on transportation, coming to or leaving the UAE, from crossing, entering or leaving the UAE territories.Saudi Arabia, the UAE and Bahrain and Egypt have also closed all transport links by air, land and sea resulting in Qatar Airways suspending flights to these countries.