Speaking on the sidelines of an aviation conference in Cancun, Qantas International CEO Gareth Evans said Qatari nationals would not be able to board flights to Dubai.

“UAE have banned Qatari nationals from transiting through UAE, so we’re looking to see if that affects any passengers,” he said.

“If it does, we will offer them (route) alternatives.”

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Since launching in Australia in 2009, Qatar Airways has been an enormous aviation success, growing passenger numbers by 77 per cent last year.

Almost three-quarters of a million Australians travelled on the airline in 2016, after it was voted the world’s best in 2015.

But now the airline is at the centre of an international storm over the country’s alleged support for Islamic extremists and for meddling in the affairs of neighbouring nations.

Saudi Arabia claims Qatar paid a $1 billion ransom to terrorists to release members of the Royal family.

Why is Qatar being boycotted by neighbouring countries?

Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Bahrain and the United Arab Emirates have now cut ties to Qatar, including air links for Qatar Airways.

Flights are no longer operating between Qatar and Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Egypt and the UAE.

There is even the suggestion airlines from those countries, including the UAE, will refuse to carry Qatari nationals, even those with dual citizenship.

Are the bans justified ?

Deakin University terrorism and international relations expert Greg Barton says it’s an extraordinary case of bullying by Saudi Arabia.

“It seems the intention is to pummel Qatar into submission,” said Professor Barton.

“It is pretty excessive behaviour. It’s not the way diplomacy normally works given you’re dealing with the Gulf State cooperative community, stuck in the same part of the world.”

But he said Qatar was not without fault, given its “dalliance with extremism and relationship with Iran”.

What about Australia?

For Australian travellers transiting through Doha on the way to the UK or Europe, the bans should not impact their plans.

However those going through Doha on the way to Egypt or Saudi Arabia will have to make new travel arrangements.

Flights to Australia and Asian countries may take longer with the UAE, Egypt and Saudi Arabia even closing their airspace to Qatar Airways.

The premium carrier operates regular services to Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide and Perth and plans to begin a Canberra service later this year.

When will the travel bans on Qatar be lifted ?

The advice from Qatar Airways is - watch this space in response to that question. ‘Travellers are advised to visit qatarairways.com for further updates.

Prof Barton said Qatar will have no choice but to roll over and submit to Saudi Arabia. “To some extent Qatar has been foolish in the way it’s pushed certain things, and had reckless regard for its place in the Gulf community,” he said.

How will this affect Qatar Airways financially?

Phil Sylvester from Travel Insurance Direct advises people against buying Qatar Airways tickets months in advance.

“If these restrictions make Qatar Airways unviable and it goes broke - which could take a while - we don’t cover insolvency,” Mr Sylvester told Escape.

“I wouldn’t be buying any flights on Qatar Airways from Christmas.”

He said as long as the airspace restrictions did not stop Qatar Airways from flying into Doha, flights to Europe, Asia, the US and Australia should continue.

“Qatar Airways needs to reroute to avoid Saudi airspace, so they might take longer,” said Mr Sylvester.

“This won’t impact your travel insurance policy.”

However, a Qatar Airways spokeman said: “Qatar Airways has one of the strongest balance sheets in the industry with over $US5 billion in cash.

“The vast majority of our global operations, including flights to and from Australia, are functioning as per normal and we continue to look forward to delivering our award-winning service to our valued passengers.”

What does the Australian government say?

The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade advice for Australian travellers heading to Qatar remains “exercise normal safety precautions”.

“If you have an upcoming flight to, from or transiting Doha, contact your airline or travel provider for further information,” said the smartraveller advisory, which was updated today.

“We understand that Qatar Airways flights to and from Australia will continue to operate.”

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