Qatar Airways is evaluating whether it will use air routes opened to it this week by Egypt, Saudi Arabia, UAE, and Bahrain, the airline’s CEO told Reuters. “Qatar Airways is looking at ‘the flexibility and benefit’ of one ‘very short route’ while another route off the Egyptian coast was ‘useless’ to the airline, Chief Executive Akbar al-Baker said at a Doha press conference. Al-Baker did not say where the short route was or when the airline would decide if it would use the routes.” The UAE’s Civil Aviation Authority confirmed Qatari-owned aircraft have given access to airspace over international waters managed by the UAE.

Qatar is initiating a program that will allow nationals from 80 countries through its borders sans any visa requirements, according to Reuters. The effort comes as the country tries to fill the gap that has been left from the Saudi-led boycott. Nationals of 33 countries will be allowed stays of up to 180 days and the other 47 for 30 days. Hotel occupancy in the country has dropped, since Saudis are Doha’s normal fillers. The country is aggressively trying to find alternatives for its airline and hospitality segment.