Gulf Carriers fly over Iraq, Iran after military action deters others

Qatar Airways, Emirates and several other Gulf airlines still fly in Iraqi and Iranian airspace and to cities in both countries, even as other international carriers have rerouted planes since the US and Iran traded military strikes. Executives and analysts said carriers in the Gulf, a major transit stop between European and Asian destinations, have few alternative routes to choose from in an area where much of the airspace is kept clear of civilian aircraft for military use. "We will continue to fly to Iran because Iran is an important country to us," Qatar Airways CE Akbar al-Baker said. Qatar has forged closer economic ties with Iran since 2017 when neighbouring Saudi Arabia, the UAE and other Arab states cut relations with Doha in a diplomatic row. <br/>