A FLIGHT bound for Doha has been diverted back to the UK after Iran launched a missile strike against a US airbase in Qatar.
Qatar Airways flight QR28 had reached as far as the western Turkish coastline at around 5.56pm UK time when it dramatically made a U-turn, taking it back to Manchester Airport.
Earlier today, Iran launched a salvo of ballistic missiles at Doha, targeting the Al Udaid US airbase which houses around 10,000 US army personal.
Qatar Airways then announced at 7.30pm that it had temporarily grounded all flights after the Middle Eastern nation closed its airspace.
The airline wrote on X: “As a result of the closure of air traffic movement in the State of Qatar, we can confirm the temporary suspension of Qatar Airways flights.
“We are working closely with government stakeholders and the relevant authorities to support any passengers that have been impacted, and will resume operations when the airspace reopens.
“The safety of our passengers and crew remains our highest priority.”
QR28 is not the only Qatar Airways flight from the UK to be affected, with another flight – QR4 from London Heathrow to Doha – also being diverted back to the capital.
The jet made it far over the Mediterranean Sea, between Italy and Greece, before it turned around heading back to London, according to aircraft tracker FlightRadar24.
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GettyThe Qatar Airways flight from Manchester to Doha has turned around, following Iran’s bombing of a US airbase in the Middle Eastern nation[/caption]