BusinessUK expats scramble but airlines bullish on QatarBritish Airways, which is 20% owned by Qatar’s sovereign investment fund, will continue to fly daily to Doha from LondonGetty Images for ANOCAngela Jameson6 June 2017The UK’s airlines on Tuesday shrugged off the impact of a Gulf ban on flights to Qatar, which will lead to major disruption across the Middle East.Saudi Arabia has banned Qatari airlines from its airspace, while Abu Dhabi’s state-owned Etihad Airways and Dubai’s Emirates Airline has suspended all flights to and from Doha. Egypt also closed its airspace to Qatari planes this morning, with Bahrain set to follow.British Airways, which is 20% owned by Qatar’s sovereign investment fund, will continue to fly daily to Doha from London, a spokesman confirmed.Heathrow airport said that it was not anticipating any disruption in London from the travel ban.Expat Britons living and working in Doha are rushing to book flights home to London with non-Qatari airlines ahead of the start of the summer holidays. Read MoreWH Smith hire turnaround veteran with package that could be worth £25mBlue Posts boss: If opening a pub becomes so risky, people just won't do itCulpeper pub boss: Rates system is not fit for purpose — and not fairSponsoredWinter escapes and activities to end the year in style But it is not yet clear whether they will be able to get refunds for already-booked flights.Aluminium exports from a Qatari plant have been blocked and Sri Lankan banks have stopped buying Qatar riyals.Ryanair and easyJet reported a leap in passengers in May.Ryanair carried 11% more fliers during the month, with 95% of its planes full. Rival easyJet had a 9.5% increase in traffic in the month.MORE ABOUTQatar
