ABU DHABI 23 April 2018: The UAE General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA), announced that Qatari fighter jets flew dangerously close to a UAE civil aircraft with 86 passengers on board.
At that time, the plane was passing through Bahraini airspace.
GCAA said it is a repeated action in stark violation of the international laws and agreements.
The civilian aircraft was on a scheduled flight after obtaining all the necessary approvals as per the international regulations, procedures and agreements, said Wam.
In a statement the GCAA said that the Qatari fighter jets flew very close to the Emirati aircraft, less than 700 feet, leaving just a few seconds to the captain to manoeuvre his way away to avoid being hit, thus jeopardising the safety of travellers onboard.
The GCAA has further stated that threatening the safety and well-being of civilian travellers in any way is a completely unacceptable act, and it will file a case with the International Civil Aviation Organisation, ICAO, against this aggression.
Bahrain condemns Qatari jets’ approaching UAE civilian aircraft
MANAMA: Bahrain has condemned the provocative action of Qatari fighters which flew perilously close to an Emirati airbus 320, Flight ETD88, en route from Dammam to Abu Dhabi.
The flight met all requirements and the plane was flying at an altitude of 25,000 feet above the international waters, Route UN318 within Bahrain Flight Information Region (FIR).
In a statement, the Bahraini Ministry of Foreign Affairs said that such repeated, provocative acts by the State of Qatar pose a vehement threat to safety of passengers and fly in the face of all relevant international conventions and agreements.
Bahrain reserves the right to take all the measures needed with the International Civil Aviation Organisation and related organisations to put an end to such illegal practices carried out by the Qatari authorities, the ministry said, reiterating the Kingdom of Bahrain’s solidarity with the UAE in all the measures taken to stand up to such repeated violations and to ensure safety of civilians.