Qatar pursues contentious plan to establish own airspace

Qatar’s government is advancing a plan to establish its own separate airspace, aiming to withdraw from the long-standing arrangement under which Bahrain oversees much of the emirate’s air traffic. Its proposal would split the Bahrain flight information region – which stretches along much of the western Persian Gulf from the United Arab Emirates to Kuwait – into two sections of airspace, with a new boundary of about 90nm running between Bahrain and Qatar. ICAO’s Council agreed in principle, at a session on 21 June, on the establishment of a new Doha FIR and invited Bahrain and Qatar to “discuss co-operatively” the technical arrangements. Qatar’s ministry of transport says co-ordination efforts with Bahrain have started, and findings from the discussions with Bahrain are due to be presented at the next ICAO Council session scheduled for October-November. Through its proposal, the ministry adds, Qatar aims to “support development of safe and sustainable air transport operations” in the region, adding that the change relies on “good relations” and “mutual respect” among the states involved to ensure smooth services. Bahrain oversees air traffic in Qatari airspace except for the Doha terminal area. ICAO’s Council points out that Bahrain has provided “safe and efficient” air navigation services over several decades in the area, after being delegated the responsibility by Qatar. But it also acknowledges that Qatar has the right to request establishment of its own FIR and search-and-rescue region. Story has more background.<br/>