Qatar Airways seeks $5 billion compensation over airspace closure

DOHA: Qatar Airways said Wednesday it will seek $5 billion in compensation from Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Bahrain and Egypt for closing their airspace to the flag carrier as part of a regional feud.

The overflight restrictions are part of a raft of measures taken by the Saudi-led quartet since June 2017 as part of efforts to pressure Qatar over alleged support for radical Islamist movements and Iran. Doha denies the charges.

"The arbitrations seek redress for the blockading states' actions to remove Qatar Airways from their markets and to forbid the airline from flying over their airspace," the airline said in a statement, adding that at least $5 billion would be sought.

"These measures specifically targeted Qatar Airways, with the objective of shuttering Qatar Airways' local operations, destroying the value of the airline's investments and causing widespread damage to Qatar Airways' global network of operations."

The International Court of Justice last week ruled Qatar could challenge the airspace restrictions imposed by the four countries before the UN's International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO).

Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates said they respected the decision, but denied the ruling dealt with the merits of the case.