Qatar Airways announced it will skip bonuses for almost 60,000 employees in 2026. The decision follows massive flight cancellations linked to the US-Israel war on Iran, which began disrupting operations in February 2026 [1, 2].
The airline has canceled tens of thousands of flights and is currently operating less than 60 percent of its usual schedule due to the regional conflict [2]. This has severely impacted revenue and passenger volumes.
In the latest financial year, Qatar Airways' profit dropped about 10 percent to 7.08 billion Qatari riyals, approximately SGD 2.5 billion [2]. The company has sought to preserve cash by approaching several aircraft lessors to defer or reduce rental payments [2].
A memo sent to employees during the week of May 18-22 communicated the decision not to pay bonuses. The memo said the move "prioritizes long-term stability" amid ongoing geopolitical uncertainty [1, 2]. Bonuses in recent years ranged from a few weeks' pay for non-managerial staff to several months' pay for executives and vice presidents [2].
The war's impact has left thousands of travelers stranded and hundreds of planes grounded since February. The continuation of these disruptions has forced Qatar Airways to adjust operations and cut costs considerably [2].
The carrier's next financial statement is expected to provide further details on how the conflict will shape its 2026 performance and recovery plans.
