Edinburgh–Doha Flight Makes Mid-Air U-Turn as Qatar Capital Reports Explosions
A Qatar Airways Boeing 787 operating flight QTR59F from Edinburgh Airport executed a mid-air U-turn and returned to Scotland after departing around 7. 50am on Saturday, February 28; the diversion occurred as reports emerged of missiles intercepted above Qatar and explosions heard across the region. The timing matters because the turnback happened while the aircraft was already halfway across Germany and scheduled to land in Doha later the same day, raising immediate travel disruption concerns for passengers and wider regional safety questions.
QTR59F flight path and in-flight reversal
The flight, identified as QTR59F, left Edinburgh Airport at about 7. 50am on Saturday, February 28 and tracked south over England before crossing the North Sea. The Boeing 787 flew over Amsterdam and reached roughly halfway across Germany before making a full 180-degree turn and backtracking toward Edinburgh. Flightradar publicly displayed the sharp manoeuvre, showing the aircraft bound once again for the Scottish capital.
Doha explosions and Qatar defence ministry actions
The diversion comes after media outlets in the region said missiles were intercepted above Qatar and that explosions were heard as far away as Abu Dhabi and Saudi Arabia; explosions were reportedly heard in Qatar as well. A breaking update from Al Jazeera said that "New explosions have been reported in Doha, " and that this followed a statement from Qatar’s defence ministry saying it had downed all missiles targeting the country in a "second wave" of attacks. What makes this notable is that a national defence ministry's report of a direct intercept action coincided with an international passenger flight reversing course while en route to the same capital.
Edinburgh Airport departure and passenger timetable
The scheduled arrival in Doha was for later this evening, but after the U-turn the plane returned toward Scotland. The immediate effect for travellers was a premature end to the outward leg; the measurable disruption includes the aircraft spending time over continental Europe only to reverse course and head back to Edinburgh. Details on passenger disembarkation, onward connections or any rebooking arrangements remain unclear in the provided context.
Flightradar tracking of the Boeing 787
Flightradar traces showed the Boeing 787 making the sharp turn that set it back on a track for Edinburgh. The tracking record indicated the sequence of positions: departure, south over England, North Sea crossing, passage over Amsterdam, and then a turnaround point roughly halfway across Germany before return. The available movement data establishes a clear timeline of the aircraft’s progress and reversal.
Qatar Airways and Qatari Airways comment request
Qatar Airways has been approached for comment. Qatari Airways has been approached for comment. The airline contact attempts are the only stated official outreach in the context; no response or formal explanation of the operational decision is included in the information provided.
Other local headlines and event bulletins
Alongside the story of the diverted flight, the same publication carried several distinct local and sports items: an Edinburgh nursery closed suddenly with parents given "less than a day's notice, " and a "much-loved" Edinburgh family home went on the market for the first time in more than 50 years. Sports and entertainment briefs listed Emanuel Navarette and Eduardo Nunez meeting in the ring this weekend in Arizona with instructions on how to watch the full fight card; a separate item referenced Emanuel Navarrete versus Eduardo "Sugar" Nunez live results for a card in Glendale, Arizona. Coverage also mentioned following RAF 6 results for the Henry Cejudo vs. Urijah Faber wrestling card in Tempe, Arizona and live updates for the Brandon Moreno vs. Lone'er Kavanagh fight card in Mexico City. In wrestling and entertainment, WWE Elimination Chamber 2026 was noted as the final WWE premium live event before WrestleMania 42 in April. A short sports-feature observation said that even as U. S. women bring home more Olympic gold, many feel recognition remains behind, and that whatever goodwill Hughes had built with a dedicated fandom seemed to have dissipated following Team USA's gold medal win last Sunday.
The outlet added it would bring more information and updates on this breaking news story and invited readers to follow Facebook, Instagram and X for the latest news, what's on, trending stories and sport. Further operational details, official airline statements, and passenger accounts are unclear in the provided context.
