British Airways suspends flights to Abu Dhabi until later in 2026

British Airways has announced the suspension of all flights to and from Abu Dhabi until the end of 2026 amid ongoing conflict and continued instability in GCC airspace.

 

In a statement, the airline said: “Due to the continuing uncertainty of the situation in the Middle East and airspace instability, we’ve had to temporarily reduce our flying schedule in the region.”

 

The decision affects multiple destinations across the Middle East, with flights to Dubai, Doha, Bahrain, Amman and Tel Aviv also cancelled until 31 March 2026.

 

Airspace closures triggered widespread disruption from 28 February, forcing airlines across the region to suspend or reroute operations and leaving thousands of passengers stranded. Although several countries have since reopened their skies for limited use, schedules remain volatile with cancellations and delays still common.

 

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To assist travellers, British Airways is operating repatriation flights from Muscat International Airport (MCT) to London Heathrow (LHR) on 11 and 12 March for customers holding existing tickets. The airline has advised that seats are limited and urged passengers to contact its support line on +44 203 467 3854 to secure bookings. Travellers departing from the UAE will need to arrange their own transport to Muscat.

 

These relief flights will be paused after 12 March as demand stabilises, but the carrier said it will continue to monitor the situation closely.

 

Virgin Atlantic has also suspended Dubai–London Heathrow services for the remainder of the winter season and paused flights to Riyadh until 21 March. The airline confirmed: “Dubai is a seasonal route for Virgin Atlantic and was due to conclude on 28 March; however, the recent escalation in the Middle East has brought forward the end of our operation for this season.”

 

According to the UK Foreign Office, more than 160,000 British nationals have registered their presence in Dubai during the crisis, with nearly 27,000 having departed the city since 1 March.

 

For more information, visit britishairways.com