Airline News Qatar Airways Cuts Over 130 UK Flights Ahead of Summer 2026

[Aviador]

Qatar Airways Cuts Over 130 UK Flights Ahead of Summer 2026

Qatar Airways has removed a significant number of UK services from its spring 2026 schedule, with London seeing the most substantial reductions. In total, 131 flights between Heathrow and Gatwick have been withdrawn from April to June, marking a notable contraction just as the summer season approaches.

The changes reduce weekly London–Doha frequencies from 81 to 59, with Gatwick losing around half of its flights during the first week of May. Industry sources suggest that the freed‑up slots are being temporarily leased to British Airways, which is expected to maintain overall capacity by operating larger Boeing 777‑300ERs on the route.
Qatar Airways has attributed the cuts to runway maintenance at Hamad International Airport, part of a wider infrastructure upgrade scheduled to run until early June 2026. Smaller reductions have also been made at Manchester and several other global destinations as part of a broader network adjustment.

For UK passengers, the changes mean fewer direct options to Doha and onward connections across Asia, Africa and Australia. With capacity tightening, fares are likely to rise during the affected period, particularly from London.

 

[Jerry]

In a way it might have been a blessing that they didn't return to Cardiff this summer at least. Can imagine the negative press Cardiff would have got if they'd cut flights from Cardiff.

 

[Aviador]

In a way it might have been a blessing that they didn't return to Cardiff this summer at least. Can imagine the negative press Cardiff would have got if they'd cut flights from Cardiff.

It does feel like there is a bit of a slowdown in the economy. Lets hope its short-lived and things start improving soon.

 

[mullion]

The Manchester flights are getting 90%+ so its not a slow down its been known about runway work for a while

 

[Aviador]

The Manchester flights are getting 90%+ so its not a slow down its been known about runway work for a while

That might be the case but the bean counter still chose the flights it did for the chop. Fingers crossed it is as you suggest though.

 

[mullion]

Yes the two early morning flights, 789s have been upgraded to a 773 for the time being which
arn`t both daily and the evening flight also an upgrade with the lunchtime staying at A350x

 

[gulftraveller]

That might be the case but the bean counter still chose the flights it did for the chop. Fingers crossed it is as you suggest though.

No problem with UK loads. These cuts are across the board.

 

[IanFarquharson]

Thankfully BHX is unaffected

Hopefully Qatar will add capacity at some point as BHX is running 95% LF's

 

[Birmingham Aviation]

Thankfully BHX is unaffected

Hopefully Qatar will add capacity at some point as BHX is running 95% LF's

We’ve been begging for this since it restarted in 2023.

Need a 10 weekly/2 daily B788 service or a B77W on the route daily

I believe yields are the issue at bhx

 

[gulftraveller]

They have applied reductions where there is a number of daily departures so they can reaccommodate passengers and have upgraded aircraft where possible.

 

[thunderchild]

If QR aren’t going to increase frequency then an upgrade to the 789 would seem the logical choice to increase capacity at BHX. If yield is an issue then I don’t think throwing a premium heavy 77W on the route would be a good move.