By Salman Siddiqui/Staff Reporter
The Ukrainian airspace is safe and travellers from Doha need not feel nervous at all as there are many airlines that continue to fly to and over the European country, Ukrainian ambassador to Qatar Yevhen Mykytenk told Gulf Times.
Ever since the ill-fated Malaysian Airlines passenger jet MH17 was shot down with a surface-to-air missile allegedly by Russia-backed rebels on July 17 in Ukraine’s Donetsk region, passengers were becoming increasingly nervous about what flight paths their airlines take to Europe, even if they were not visiting Ukraine itself.
A travel agent told Gulf Times that people going for vacation to Europe these days ask for tickets by airlines that don’t fly anywhere near Ukraine and ask about flight paths of the airlines that would take them to their European destinations, which was a new trend.
The Ukrainian envoy, however, tried to give assurances that the Ukraine airspace that comes under complete control of his government was totally safe. “Just recently one of our delegations used a Lufthansa flight to visit Kiev itself from Doha and everything went normal…my message to all travellers is that please don’t be scared, hundreds of people were still flying over and to and from Ukraine even now everyday,” he said.
The envoy added that contrary to the rumours many airlines, including FlyDubai, were still operating to Kiev. He said that while areas such as Donetsk should be avoided, other areas in Ukraine were safe to fly over.
At the moment, Qatar Airways does not operate a direct flight to Ukraine, however, the plan to have one in the near future was still in place. “[QA CEO] Akbar al-Baker himself told me that Qatar Airways will have a direct flight as soon as 2015,” the envoy said.
However, as coffins from the MH17 tragedy are flown out of Ukraine to reunite them with their loved ones, many major airlines around the world continue to assure their passengers that they would be avoiding Ukrainian airspace.
Qatar Airways too has assured its passengers that its aircraft would be avoiding Ukrainian airspace. The notice issued at Qatar Airways website’s Travel Alert section says: “The Qatar Airways Group is in deep dismay over the loss of flight MH17. We stand by to support our fellow Oneworld alliance member during this sombre time.
“In response to queries, Qatar Airways wishes to inform its passengers that select areas in Ukrainian air space are currently closed by authorities. Qatar Airways will not fly over Ukrainian territory until further notice.
“Currently there are no delays expected as a result of this operational change. No inbound flights to Doha nor outbound flights from Doha to destinations that previously included fly zones within Ukraine are expected to face delays.
“We assure all passengers that should there be any action required with regards to current bookings, that they will be notified by the Qatar Airways Customer Service Team.”
