British Airways Cancels UAE Flights Until Later This Year
The airline has suspended all services to Abu Dhabi for the rest of 2026, with Dubai and other regional routes also grounded until the end of March.
Mar 11, 2026
If you have a British Airways ticket to the UAE, you need to check your booking right now.
The UK carrier announced on March 10 that it is pulling all flights to and from the Middle East following ongoing airspace instability in the region. Flights to and from Abu Dhabi have been suspended until later this year, while services to Amman, Bahrain, Doha, Dubai, and Tel Aviv have been cancelled until later this month. No firm return date has been announced for any of the affected routes.
In a statement, British Airways 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."
Why British Airways Cancelled UAE Flights
The suspensions are linked directly to the escalating regional conflict. The UAE has been targeted by Iranian missiles at airports, tourist hotspots, the US consulate, and other locations. In Bahrain, an Iranian attack struck a residential building in Manama, killing a 29-year-old woman and injuring eight others. Saudi Arabia reported destroying two drones over its eastern region, while Kuwait shot down six drones. In the UAE, a blaze broke out in the industrial city of Ruwais, home to several petrochemical plants, following a drone strike, though no injuries were reported.
The disruption to British Airways UAE flights is part of a much wider pattern. Airlines across the region suspended and rerouted flights after the US and Israel began strikes on Iran, prompting several countries to restrict or close their airspace. A total of 153 flights were cancelled across Dubai International Airport, Abu Dhabi International Airport, Sharjah International Airport, Al Maktoum International Airport, Ras Al Khaimah International Airport, and Fujairah International Airport.
Which British Airways UAE Flights Are Affected
Flights to Dubai International Airport, as well as Amman, Bahrain, and Doha, have been cancelled until the end of March. Abu Dhabi flights are suspended until later this year, with no firm return date announced.
British Airways is not the only carrier scaling back. Lufthansa has suspended flights to and from Dubai and Abu Dhabi until March 15. KLM is currently avoiding airspace over Iran, Iraq, and Israel, as well as several Gulf countries, resulting in cancellations and adjustments across its regional network. Cathay Pacific temporarily suspended flights to and from Dubai and Riyadh until at least March 14. Virgin Atlantic, Emirates, Etihad Airways, Qatar Airways, Turkish Airlines, and Wizz Air have also seen flights affected.
Qatar Airways has been operating a limited number of repatriation flights through Hamad International Airport in Doha after temporary flight corridors were authorized by the Qatar Civil Aviation Authority. Emirates indicated that flight operations were expected to return to full capacity in the coming days, having operated a reduced schedule during the peak of the disruption. Etihad Airways also resumed a limited schedule from Zayed International Airport in Abu Dhabi.
What British Airways Passengers in the UAE Should Do
British Airways said affected customers are being contacted directly and that travelers should not go to the airport unless they have a confirmed booking. For those already in the UAE or Oman, repatriation flights from Muscat to London Heathrow are available on March 11 and 12 for customers with existing bookings. Limited seats remain on these services, and passengers are advised to contact the airline directly at +44 203 467 3854.
The airline confirmed it is also in touch with customers still in the UAE to support them and provide options for travel to the UK. Rebooking and full refund options are available for all impacted passengers.
The UK Foreign Office is currently advising against all travel to large parts of the region. For Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar, and the UAE specifically, the advice is against all but essential travel.
British Airways has also flagged a scam warning. The airline is urging customers to rely only on official British Airways channels for updates and to never click suspicious links or share personal or payment details.
The situation across the region remains active. British Airways has said it is keeping its flight schedule under constant review and will update passengers as conditions change.
Stay tuned for more updates!
