Qatar Airways to restart Gatwick flights next week

Akbar Al Baker, Qatar Airways group chief executive, said the UK remained an important strategic market for the carrier, adding its Doha services had – to date – helped repatriate more than 200,000 passengers.

He added: "The resumption of Gatwick services is a significant indicator of the resilience of the UK travel market, and we look forward to resuming more of our UK destinations to support the recovery of tourism and trade in the region.”

Gatwick chief executive Stewart Wingate added that after "a challenging time" for travel and aviation, Qatar’s commitment to Gatwick was "another positive step in the recovery process" that would "help rebuild public confidence in air travel".

The UK does not currently have a quarantine-free travel corridor with Qatar, meaning anyone arrivals will have to self-isolate for 14 days upon arrival in the UK.

The Foreign Office, meanwhile, is advising against all but essential travel to Qatar.

From 1 August, British nationals holding a Qatar residence permit are allowed to enter the country, subject to receiving prior approval, although they will have to self-isolate for seven days.