Qatar Airways Cuts Capacity for Doha Runway Work

Qatar Airways has confirmed temporary reductions across its global network due to planned runway maintenance at its hub, Hamad International Airport, during the second quarter of 2026.

The airline said selected service adjustments are part of its regular network planning process and have been coordinated to align with scheduled infrastructure upgrades at the Doha airport. The maintenance program is described as essential and forms part of a broader long-term development plan. Completion of the runway works is expected by early June 2026.

Between April 13 and June 13, Hamad International Airport will operate with a single runway instead of its usual two. The temporary reduction in runway capacity will limit aircraft movements, prompting Qatar Airways to adjust frequencies and seat capacity on several key routes.

According to capacity data, the airline plans to reduce overall capacity by approximately 8.2% between the first week of April and the first week of May, when the maintenance work is underway at full scale. The impact will be most visible on some of Qatar Airways’ busiest long-haul routes.

Among the largest reductions is London Heathrow, where seat capacity will fall by 4,818 seats, a 22.2% decline, with weekly frequencies dropping from 66 to 48 flights. Services to Colombo International will be cut by 2,267 seats, representing a 26.5% decrease, while Paris Charles de Gaulle will see a reduction of 2,025 seats, down 19.9%. Both Colombo and Paris will temporarily move from four daily flights to three.

Despite the reductions, Qatar Airways indicated that the adjustments are temporary and designed to maintain operational stability during the runway works. The airline continues to position Doha as a major global connecting hub linking Europe, Asia, Africa, and the Americas.

The temporary single-runway operations are expected to increase scheduling constraints and require careful slot management, but Qatar Airways said the coordinated approach aims to minimize disruption for passengers while ensuring the long-term resilience and efficiency of its Doha hub infrastructure.

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Sources: AirGuide Business airguide.info, bing.com, ch-aviation.com