Japan's JERA Co, the world's biggest buyer of liquefied natural gas (LNG), said yesterday it has been informed by Qatargas that there will be no impact on LNG supplies after several Middle East countries cut ties with Qatar. There would be "no conceivable impact on LNG supplies" from the rift, JERA said in a statement, adding "this is also a geopolitical issue in the Middle East and there is a possibility that this could be closely related to the energy market, so we will continue to keep watch on the movements."

Qatar is the world's biggest exporter of LNG, while Japan is the largest importer, taking in about one-third of global shipments.

On the other hand, Qatar Airways said on its official website yesterday that it had suspended all flights to Saudi Arabia. Also, Abu Dhabi's state-owned Etihad Airways said it will suspend all flights to and from Doha from this morning until further notice. The last flight from Abu Dhabi to Doha will depart at 02:45 local time today, the airline's spokesman said in an email. Air Arabia, FlyDubai, Saudi Arabian Airlines all are suspending flights to Qatar. Meanwhile, Egyptian billionaire Naguib Sawiris has called on Egyptian businessmen to withdraw their investments from Qatar and halt business dealings with the Gulf state. Some Egyptian banks halted dealings with Qatari banks yesterday.