Hey everyone,

I’m planning a trip to Nepal soon and looking at booking with Qatar Airways. Given the current geopolitical tension in the Middle East, I’ve been doing some digging into the safety and reliability of transiting through Doha right now.

I figured I’d share what I’ve found for anyone else in the same boat, and I’d love to hear from anyone who has actually flown through Hamad International (DOH) in the last week or two.

The Current Situation (May 2026):

• Flight Operations: Qatar Airways is currently in a "rebuilding" phase. After the major airspace closures in March/April, they are slowly restoring their network. As of early May, they are operating at about 50%–75% capacity depending on the route.
• Airspace Safety: Flights are currently restricted to "limited safe corridors" defined by the Qatar Civil Aviation Authority. This means routes are being micro-managed to avoid conflict zones, but it also means fewer flights per day and a higher risk of last-minute cancellations if the "corridor" conditions change.
• Travel Advisories: It’s worth noting that several governments (including the US and Australia) still have "Do Not Travel" or "Reconsider Travel" advisories for Qatar due to the risk of regional escalation. This applies even to transiting through the airport.
• Transit Experience: DOH is open, but it’s not "business as usual." There have been reports of high call volumes, long wait times for rebooking, and limited staffing. If your flight gets grounded while you’re in Doha, you might be there for a while.

My Main Concerns:

1. Safety: While the airline won't fly if they deem it an immediate risk, the "safe corridors" feel like a thin margin.
2. Insurance: Because of the "Do Not Travel" advisories, some standard travel insurance policies might be void. I’m having to look into specialized high-risk travel insurance.
3. Reliability: The schedule for May is still "subject to change." I’m worried about getting stuck in Doha and missing my window for field research/trekking in Nepal.

Questions for the Community:

• Has anyone transited through Doha in the last 7–10 days? How was the atmosphere and were there many delays?
• Are people currently choosing other hubs like Istanbul (Turkish) or New Delhi (Air India) to bypass the Gulf entirely?
• For those in Nepal, are you seeing the usual flow of Qatar Airways passengers arriving in Kathmandu, or are the numbers significantly down?

Stay safe out there!