The message from the flag carrier of the richest country in the world seems to be 'don't mess with us'.

Qatar Airways says it is considering legal action to recoup money lost because of the recently-applied trade blockade of the tiny Gulf state.

 

Its ceo, Akbar Al Baker, says it is tracking increased costs incurred because of the blockade for use in any future 'legal tribunals'.

 

So far, the sanctions seem to have had only a negligible effect on shipments - and the carrier has released promotional discounts in some European countries. Anecdotal evidence is that airfreight price increases for shipments to or from Qatar have been about US$0.30-US$0.60/kg. For seafreight, non-Middle Eastern logistics providers have stepped up services.

 

Meanwhile, Saudi Arabia and its blockade allies have given Qatar a list of demands that if met, will end the blockade. The list was compiled by Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Egypt and Bahrain, which cut economic, diplomatic and travel ties to Doha on June 5.

 

They include the closure of Al-Jazeera television, scaling back Qatar’s links with Iran and closing a Turkish military base in Qatar.

 

Qatar also must sever ties with terrorist, ideological and sectarian organisations including the Muslim Brotherhood, Islamic State, al Qaeda, Hezbollah, and Jabhat Fateh al Sham, formerly al Qaeda's branch in Syria - and surrender all designated terrorists on its territory.

 

Qatar has been given until early July to comply.