Tables turn for star Gulf carrier Qatar Airways

Qatar Airways was until last week the envy of the region’s airlines. Competitors in Dubai and Abu Dhabi looked on with resentful longing as the airline’s blend of wide and narrow-bodied aircraft provided the flexibility to navigate weaker demand in a region hit by falls in the oil price and stave off the impact of the stronger US dollar. Rivals, including Emirates, appeared to be left trailing in the Doha airline’s wake. To rub salt into the wounds, Qatar underlined its position as the star performer in the Gulf Monday with stellar results. But now, the tables have been turned following the unprecedented blockade by its neighbours. Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain and Egypt have imposed an air, sea and land transport ban on Qatar, accusing the gas-rich state of backing Islamist extremist terrorism, a charge denied by Doha. <br/>