Group chief executive Akbar Al Baker insisted that the “vast majority” of the carrier’s flights are operating from Doha as scheduled in the face of the ongoing diplomatic dispute which has seen Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, the United Arab Emirates and Egypt cut ties with Qatar.

The group of countries are accusing Qatar of aiding terrorist groups and Iran – charges it denies.

In a statement, Qatar Airways reported that it had flown around 1,200 flights between Doha and its network of more than 150 destinations around the globe, with 90% of those flights departing within 15 minutes of their scheduled departure time.

Al Baker branded the blockade “unprecedented”, adding that its implementation was in “direct contradiction to the convention that guarantees rights to civil overflight.”

“We call upon the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) to declare this an illegal act,” he said.

“We are not a political body, we are an airline, and this blockade has stripped us of the rights which are guaranteed to us.”

He added: “Qatar Airways’ global operations continue to run smoothly, with the vast majority of our network unaffected by the current circumstances.

“Our focus is on supporting any passengers impacted by the current situation and ensuring that we continue to deliver our award-winning service.

“Our network expansion continues with two new destinations launching in the next month. As far as we are concerned, it is business as usual.”