Abu Dhabi – Mubasher: Etihad Airways on Wednesday announced banning all travellers holding Qatari passports from travelling to or transiting through the UAE.

This announcement follows instructions by relevant authorities in the UAE, the Abu Dhabi-based state-owned carrier said in a statement.

As for expatriates residing in Qatar and holding a Qatari residence visa, these too will not be eligible for a visa on arrival in the UAE, the statement showed.

"This ruling applies to all airlines flying into the UAE, including Etihad Airways," an Etihad Airways spokesperson said in an e-mailed statement. 

The announcement was made two days after a coordinated move by Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Bahrain, and the UAE, alongside Libya and Yemen, to cut diplomatic ties with Qatar, accusing it of supporting terrorism.

The countries cut off land, sea, and air transport links with Qatar.

The political rift has so far affected oil prices, and resulted in chaos for expatriates living in Qatar. Alongside Etihad, several Saudi and UAE airlines have announced that they too will suspend travel to and from Qatar.

On Tuesday, Reuters reported that Qatar Airways has suspended its flights to Bahrain, Egypt, and the UAE until further notice.

Several other countries, including Sri Lanka, have announced that they will not be dealing in Qatari riyal until the matter clears up.