Prepare for a truly unforgettable Eid celebration in Qatar, where family and friends gather to enjoy a spectacular array of festivities. This joyous occasion, set for April 3 to April 5, 2025, promises a vibrant atmosphere filled with dazzling lights, enchanting live performances, and thrilling events that cater to all ages. Immerse yourself in the spirit of Eid as you partake in lively celebrations, where each moment is enriched by stage shows and breathtaking festivals, ensuring a memorable experience for everyone.

Key Events for Eid Celebrations

Lusail Sky Festival

Prepare for an extraordinary sky extravaganza this Eid! The Lusail Sky Festival will feature breathtaking aerial performances, including sky text planes, paramotors, laser shows, and fireworks. Families can enjoy a spectacular display as the sky transforms into a vibrant canvas of acrobatics and colorful fireworks, ensuring excitement for all ages. This event is designed to be a family-friendly experience, making it a perfect outing for those looking to celebrate together.

• Dates: 3-5 April 2025
• Location: Al Saad Plaza, Lusail
• Time: 4:00 PM to 10:00 PM
• Admission: Free for all visitors

Disney The Magic Box

Experience the magic of Disney like never before! This theatrical production brings beloved Disney stories to life, following the journey of Mara as she explores The Magic Box, a gateway to iconic Disney songs and characters. With over 75 classic songs and state-of-the-art puppetry, this event promises to enchant audiences of all ages. The Al Mayassa Theatre, with a capacity of 2,300 guests, provides a stunning backdrop for this magical experience, ensuring that every seat offers a great view of the performance.

• Dates: 3-12 April 2025
• Location: Al Mayassa Theatre, QNCC Qatar
• Age Requirement: Suitable for ages 3 and above

Soul of Gold Exhibition

The "Soul of Gold" Exhibition showcases the work of Turkish artist Hatice Yetiş and her students, offering a unique cultural experience during the Eid festivities. This exhibition is a wonderful opportunity to appreciate art and creativity, making it a perfect addition to your Eid itinerary.

• Dates: 4 March - 6 April 2025
• Location: Building 18, Hall 2, Katara Cultural Village
• Time: 10:00 AM - 10:00 PM

TUL8TE Live in Qatar

Join the rising star Tul8te for an unforgettable musical journey! Known for his hit "Habeeby Leh," Tul8te blends modern pop with Egyptian musical heritage, promising a high-energy performance that you won’t want to miss. This concert is expected to attract a large audience, so securing your tickets in advance is highly recommended.

• Date: 4 April 2025
• Location: Doha Golf Club
• Doors Open: 19:00
• Show Starts: 20:00
• Ticket Price: Starting from 195 QAR

Getting There
By Car: Follow Al Corniche St, turn left onto Al Markhiya St, then right onto Al Istiqlal St, and proceed onto Lusail Expy to reach the Doha Golf Club.
By Public Transportation: Take the red metro line to the Qatar University stop and walk from there.
By Taxi: Easily accessible via taxi or ride-hailing apps.

Make the most of your Eid celebrations in Qatar by participating in these exciting events and creating cherished memories with family and friends!

Qatar Airways has extended its suspension of flights between Doha and several cities in Pakistan and India as regional tensions continue to disrupt air travel. The airline announced on its official channels that operational changes have been implemented, affecting routes to and from Karachi, Lahore, Islamabad, Multan, Peshawar, and Sialkot in Pakistan, as well as Amritsar in India, with all flights scheduled for May 10, 11, and 12 now cancelled.

This decision follows the closure of Pakistani airspace by national aviation authorities until midday on May 11, 2025, and similar operational restrictions in India, leading to widespread cancellations and disruptions for both domestic and international carriers.

Qatar Airways emphasized that passenger safety and security remain its top priority. Affected passengers are advised to check the latest travel updates and rebooking options, as the airline is permitting changes within 21 days of the original travel date for those impacted by the suspension.

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As tensions between India and Pakistan reach a boiling point, major Indian airlines including Air India and IndiGo have issued urgent advisories for passengers to arrive at airports at least three hours before departure due to intensified security measures.

The advisories follow a wave of aerial threats from Pakistan, including drone and missile attacks targeting Jammu and several military installations along the western frontier. Although India’s air defence systems successfully intercepted the strikes, the fallout has caused widespread disruptions across northern and western India.

Air India, in a post on social media platform X, cited a directive from the Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS) and urged travelers to brace for stringent checks. “Passengers across India are advised to arrive at their respective airports at least three hours prior to scheduled departure to ensure smooth check-in and boarding,” the post read. The airline also reminded flyers that check-in closes 75 minutes before departure.

IndiGo echoed the message, asking customers to account for extra time due to “extraordinary circumstances” and enhanced airport protocols. “We appreciate your understanding and cooperation,” the airline said, while urging patience amid longer queues and potential delays.

The security clampdown comes in the wake of emergency blackouts and sirens triggered in Jammu & Kashmir, Punjab, and Rajasthan, following the attempted strikes. Authorities have activated emergency protocols and advised residents to remain indoors and alert.

The aviation sector is feeling the heat. Around 430 domestic flights—nearly 3% of India’s daily schedule—were cancelled on Thursday, with 27 airports shut down until May 10. Affected airports include key hubs such as Srinagar, Jammu, Amritsar, Leh, Chandigarh, and Jodhpur, among others. More airports have reportedly been added to the restricted list as tensions escalate.

On Wednesday, over 300 flights were grounded and operations at 21 airports were suspended, indicating a worsening scenario for air travel in the region.

Air India also acknowledged the strain on customer service, noting high call volumes at its contact centres, and expressed solidarity with the nation’s defence forces. “We are grateful for the selfless service and dedication of our military and defence personnel,” the airline posted.

 With air travel caught in the crossfire of regional conflict, passengers are urged to stay updated, prepare for delays, and show cooperation as national security takes precedence.

Tensions flared dramatically between India and Pakistan on Thursday following a barrage of Pakistani missile and drone attacks targeting key Indian military and civilian infrastructure. The Jammu airstrip became a focal point of the assault, with one drone breaching defences and striking the airport despite India’s state-of-the-art S-400 air defence system intercepting eight missiles and three drones. Additional aerial threats were neutralised near Jaisalmer and Pathankot.

This fresh flare-up comes just 24 hours after India’s successful execution of Operation Sindoor, a powerful cross-border offensive targeting terror camps across Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir. Indian intelligence sources reported nearly 100 militants eliminated in the precision strike, which appears to have triggered Thursday’s retaliatory escalation.

In response to the rapidly intensifying conflict and rising security risks, the Indian government has enacted sweeping airspace restrictions, temporarily halting operations at 24 airports across northern and western India. Major facilities affected include:

• Jammu & Kashmir: Srinagar, Jammu, Leh

• Punjab: Amritsar, Ludhiana, Patiala, Bathinda, Halwara

• Himachal Pradesh: Shimla, Kangra-Gaggal, Bhuntar

• Rajasthan: Jaisalmer, Jodhpur, Bikaner, Kishengarh

• Gujarat: Mundra, Jamnagar, Hirasar, Porbandar, Keshod, Kandla, Bhuj

• Chandigarh

• Pathankot (Punjab)

The nationwide air travel landscape is now under strain, prompting emergency advisories from major carriers:

• Air India urged passengers to arrive at least three hours before departure, with check-in counters closing 75 minutes prior.

• IndiGo echoed the alert, requesting fliers to budget extra time due to "extraordinary" security protocols.

• Akasa Air advised passengers via X to carry valid ID and arrive well ahead of time for a “seamless experience.”

• SpiceJet also emphasized the importance of early arrival to navigate intensified checks and ensure timely boarding.

With defence forces on high alert and the aviation sector in flux, citizens are bracing for what may come next in this escalating regional standoff.

Several Gulf airlines have suspended and canceled flights to India and Pakistan amid escalating military tensions between the two countries. The recent strikes by India in Pakistan-administered Kashmir have led to the closure of Pakistani airspace and airport shutdowns in northern India, prompting airlines such as Emirates, Etihad Airways, Qatar Airways, Flydubai, and Air Arabia to adjust their operations. These disruptions have caused widespread travel chaos for passengers in the region.

Emirates has halted all flights to Pakistan until at least May 10, affecting routes to cities including Sialkot, Lahore, Islamabad, and Peshawar, although flights to Karachi remain operational. Etihad Airways canceled flights to Karachi, Lahore, and Islamabad, with some aircraft rerouted mid-flight to avoid restricted airspace, resulting in delays of up to 15 hours.

Qatar Airways has temporarily suspended all flights to Pakistan due to the ongoing airspace closure. Flydubai resumed limited services to Faisalabad, Lahore, Multan, and Sialkot but canceled other flights to Pakistani destinations through at least Friday. Meanwhile, Air Arabia canceled flights from Sharjah and Abu Dhabi to Pakistan and urged passengers to check flight statuses before traveling.

In India, the conflict has led to the cancellation of over 430 flights and the closure of 27 airports across northern, western, and central regions until May 10. Airports in Srinagar, Jammu, Leh, Amritsar, Dharamshala, and other key locations remain closed. Indian airlines such as IndiGo, SpiceJet, Air India, and Akasa Air have canceled numerous flights and issued advisories urging travelers to verify their flight status due to ongoing disruptions and airspace restrictions.

The escalating conflict has also caused many international carriers, including KLM, Lufthansa, Air France, British Airways, Swiss International Air Lines, and Singapore Airlines, to avoid Pakistani airspace entirely. These airlines have rerouted flights to ensure passenger safety, often resulting in longer flight times and increased operational costs.

Aviation experts warn that if the hostilities continue, the region may become too risky for many non-Indian and non-Pakistani carriers, leading to a significant reduction in flights and further complicating air travel between South Asia and the Middle East.

Passengers traveling to or from the affected areas are strongly advised to stay updated through airline websites and customer service channels. Flight schedules remain highly volatile, with frequent cancellations, reroutings, and delays driven by evolving security concerns and airspace restrictions. Travelers should prepare for potential disruptions and plan accordingly as the situation continues to develop.

 In a dramatic ripple effect of escalating geopolitical tensions between India and Pakistan, several major international airlines—including Lufthansa, Air France, and British Airways—have begun rerouting flights to avoid Pakistani airspace, triggering longer travel times, increased fuel costs, and the prospect of rising ticket prices.

The shift in flight paths follows a deadly terrorist attack in Kashmir in April 2025, which further inflamed the already fraught relationship between the two nuclear-armed neighbors. In response to the fallout, Germany’s Lufthansa Group announced it is “avoiding Pakistani airspace until further notice,” a decision that’s stretching certain routes by nearly an hour. Lufthansa flights from Frankfurt to New Delhi, for instance, are now charting longer detours over the Arabian Sea.

Flight tracking data shows a similar trend across the skies. British Airways, Swiss International Airlines, Emirates, and others are skirting Pakistani territory entirely, opting instead to head south before veering northward into India and other Asian destinations.

France’s flagship carrier, Air France, has also suspended flights over Pakistan, citing the “evolution of tensions” in the region. The airline is recalibrating schedules and routes, leading to operational hiccups and elongated journey times across several of its Asia-bound services.

These detours aren’t just inconvenient—they’re costly. The Jerusalem Post reports that extended flight durations are burning more fuel and inflating operational costs, which could soon be passed on to passengers through higher fares. Independent aviation analyst Brendan Sobie warns of a deeper economic blow: “It could have a significant impact on some foreign airlines who rely heavily on Pakistan airspace, as well as Pakistan, given the loss of overflight revenues.”

The airspace reshuffling follows a tit-for-tat response: India barred Pakistani carriers from its skies, prompting Pakistan to retaliate by banning Indian-owned and operated airlines, suspending trade, and freezing visa issuance for Indian nationals—though it continues to allow international carriers flying out of India to use its airspace.

With no signs of de-escalation on the horizon, the skies over South Asia are becoming increasingly crowded—and complicated—as global carriers navigate the high-stakes turbulence of geopolitics.