Qatar Airways Suspends Bonuses for Nearly 60,000 Staff Amid Iran Conflict | Spotlight | N18G

Added: 2026-05-22

[00:00:00]And now for our final story. As the crisis in West Asia and subsequent airspace disruptions continue, one of the region's biggest airlines is now feeling the financial turbulence.

[00:00:10]Qatar Airways has reportedly decided to skip bonus payments for nearly 60,000 employees this year. This is after the US-Iran conflict severely affected the carrier's operations and revenues.

[00:00:24]According to a company memo reported by Bloomberg, the airline said the ongoing geopolitical situation in the region continues to significantly affect both Qatar and the airline group. The memo reportedly also added that the decision to suspend bonuses was aimed at prioritizing long-term stability amid uncertainty across West Asia. This move comes after months of disruptions that forced the state-owned carrier to cancel tens of thousands of flights, showed that the data from Flightradar24 since the Iran war broke out in February. Qatar Airways has been among the hardest-hit airlines in the region, currently operating at less than 60% of its normal flight schedule.

[00:01:07]The financial impact has also been visible in the airline's latest results.

[00:01:11]Qatar Airways Group reported a net profit of $1.94 billion for the 2025 to 2026 fiscal year, whereas for the fiscal year 2024 to 2025, it was $2.15 billion.

[00:01:26]For decades, Qatar Airways has built its reputation as one of the world's leading long-haul carriers alongside rivals such as Emirates.

[00:01:35]But the conflict and repeated airspace closures disrupted flight schedules, leaving thousands of passengers stranded. The airline has also reportedly been exploring ways to conserve cash by approaching aircraft lessors to discuss delaying or reducing rental payments. Qatar Airways is not the only air carrier battling the impact of the Iran war. Air India has reportedly introduced a series of cost control measures. Its employees will reportedly receive reduced performance-linked variable pay for this financial year. This after the airline achieved only 56% of its financial goals.

[00:02:11]The management has also decided to reportedly hold back annual increments temporarily.

[00:02:18]Meanwhile, Spirit Airlines was forced to shut operations over the rising fuel costs.

[00:02:23]The US carrier was already battling financial crisis. The Iran war added to its woes, forcing the airline to cancel all its flights.

[00:02:34]The Iran war has put multiple airlines across the globe under financial strain.

[00:02:39]The rising fuel prices due to the Iran war have triggered a crisis globally, and the airline industry is one of the worst hit.

[00:02:47]The world moves fast. Power shifts, unexpected developments, [music] changing alliances. Everyday brings a new headline.

[00:02:59]But headlines are only the beginning because behind every story, [music] there is context. There are consequences, and there are questions worth asking.

[00:03:10]Find the answers. Understand the story.

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[00:03:16]This is Him Kaur Saroya for Firstpost Vantage.