Al-Qatari: Iran's war is the greatest crisis in our history

Qatar Airways CEO Hamad bin Abdullah Al Attiyah said that the ongoing conflict in Iran has proven to be the greatest test for the airline in its more than 30-year history, as the company has taken measures to adapt to the crisis.

Al Attiyah told Bloomberg Television ahead of the Qatar Economic Forum held in New York on Sunday, stating, “It has been the single largest crisis in our history,” adding, “But we deal with geopolitical factors on a daily basis.”

The conflict, now in its seventh month of intermittent exchanges of fire between the United States and Israel on one side and Iran on the other, has caused major disruptions in one of the world’s most important aviation markets, located at the crossroads of key air routes.

Travel warnings issued by authorities worldwide have also contributed to a decline in tourist visits to the Middle East.

The CEO noted that the war has affected some customer behaviors, with travelers tending to book later than usual. For many airlines, rising fuel costs have also forced capacity reductions and the cancellation of certain flights to preserve cash liquidity.