UAE says Qatar fighter jets intercept flights, Doha denies
The United Arab Emirates Monday claimed that Qatari fighter jets intercepted 2 of its commercial airliners in international airspace on the way to Bahrain, allegations denied by Qatar. The claims could further escalate tensions between Qatar and the 4 Arab nations that have been boycotting it for months, among them the UAE, home to the world's busiest international airport. They also could affect long-haul airline travel, as the region's carriers are a crucial link between the East and West. Saif al-Suwaidi, the DG of the GCAA, said the intercepts happened at 10:30 am and 11 am. He said Bahraini radar, as well as crew and passengers on board, saw the military aircraft, "which constituted a clear and explicit threat to the lives of innocent civilians." The aircraft involved were not identified. <br/>
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UAE says Qatar fighter jets intercept flights, Doha denies
The United Arab Emirates Monday claimed that Qatari fighter jets intercepted 2 of its commercial airliners in international airspace on the way to Bahrain, allegations denied by Qatar. The claims could further escalate tensions between Qatar and the 4 Arab nations that have been boycotting it for months, among them the UAE, home to the world's busiest international airport. They also could affect long-haul airline travel, as the region's carriers are a crucial link between the East and West. Saif al-Suwaidi, the DG of the GCAA, said the intercepts happened at 10:30 am and 11 am. He said Bahraini radar, as well as crew and passengers on board, saw the military aircraft, "which constituted a clear and explicit threat to the lives of innocent civilians." The aircraft involved were not identified. <br/>
