British Airways cancels Abu Dhabi and Middle East flights 2026

Key Points

• British Airways has cancelled all flights to and from Abu Dhabi until later this year due to continuing uncertainty and airspace instability in the Middle East, according to a statement on its website and subsequent media reports.
• The airline has also cancelled all flights to and from Amman, Bahrain, Doha, Dubai and Tel Aviv until later this month, significantly reducing its Middle East schedule.
• British Airways said it has “temporarily reduced” its flying programme in the region and is keeping the situation under constant review, stressing that passenger safety remains its top priority.
• Passengers booked to travel to Abu Dhabi, Amman, Bahrain, Doha, Dubai and Tel Aviv on affected dates are being offered options including free date changes and, in some cases, refunds, with details varying by route and travel window.
• The decision follows weeks of military escalation involving US and Israeli strikes on Iran and retaliatory attacks affecting airspace over and around key Gulf hubs including Dubai, Doha, Bahrain, Kuwait and Israel.
• Airspace restrictions and temporary partial closures over parts of the region have led to widespread disruption, with flight tracking data showing large gaps in traffic over several Middle Eastern states at various points in recent days.
• Other airlines, including Lufthansa, Virgin Atlantic and Wizz Air, have also reduced or suspended services to parts of the Middle East in response to the heightened security risk.
• Travel experts have warned UK passengers heading to or transiting through the region to expect disruption, and in some cases to consider alternative routings or postponing non-essential trips.
• Zayed International Airport in Abu Dhabi has advised passengers not to travel to the airport unless they hold a confirmed ticket and have been explicitly told by their airline to do so.
• British Airways has said it is in contact with affected customers and is offering a “range of options”, including rebooking and assistance through its customer service centres and online help pages.
• The UK Foreign Office has issued advice urging British nationals in some Gulf states and Israel/Palestine to seek shelter and follow instructions from local authorities amid ongoing tensions.
• Hundreds of British Airways flights are believed to be affected when measured against its previous daily operations to Abu Dhabi and multiple Middle Eastern destinations, though the carrier has not given a precise figure.
• Limited repatriation capacity remains via Muscat, Oman, with a small number of seats available on flights to London Heathrow on specific dates before those services are also temporarily paused.

London (Britain Today News) March 10, 2026 – British Airways has cancelled all flights to and from Abu Dhabi until later this year and suspended multiple other Middle East routes until later this month, citing ongoing uncertainty and airspace instability across the region, as confirmed on its website and in statements carried by UK media.

Why has British Airways cancelled Abu Dhabi and other Middle East flights 2026?

As reported by an unnamed spokesperson quoted by WalesOnline, British Airways said that

“due to the ongoing uncertainty in the Middle East and the instability of airspace, we have had to temporarily scale back our flight schedule in the region”.

As reported by an unnamed British Airways spokesperson in coverage by Fox News, the airline stated on X:

“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.”

According to reporting by the Mirror, airspace closures and restrictions have affected Israel, Qatar, Iran, Iraq and Bahrain, with flight tracking data showing no flights at one point over the United Arab Emirates after it declared a temporary partial closure of its airspace.

British Airways’ decision follows what the Express described as “significant military actions” initiated by the United States and Israel targeting Iran, with counter-attacks impacting cities such as Dubai, Doha, Bahrain, Kuwait and Israel, all of which host US military bases.

As reported by the BBC, the recent escalation has led to cancellations and disruptions across the region, with British Airways among the carriers adjusting schedules in response to security concerns and airspace limits.

Which British Airways routes are affected and for how long 2026?

According to a British Airways travel update reported by WalesOnline, the airline has

“cancelled all flights to and from Amman, Bahrain, Doha, Dubai and Tel Aviv until later this month and to and from Abu Dhabi until later this year.”

WalesOnline reported that the statement, published on the airline’s website, did not specify an exact restart date for Abu Dhabi services beyond “later this year”, indicating that the suspension will run well beyond the current month.

As reported by Airways Magazine, British Airways is currently unable to operate flights to Dubai (DXB), Doha (DOH), Abu Dhabi (AUH), Bahrain (BAH), Amman (AMM) and Tel Aviv, with the carrier signalling that the situation will be kept under review into April 2026.

Earlier, the Mirror noted that British Airways had already suspended services to Tel Aviv and Bahrain until the following week and cancelled some flights to Amman, showing a phased tightening of its Middle East programme before the broader suspension was confirmed.

The BBC previously reported that British Airways had cancelled services to Tel Aviv and Bahrain until Wednesday at the end of February, adding that flights between Heathrow and Abu Dhabi, Amman, Bahrain, Doha and Dubai could face several days of disruption, which has since evolved into longer-term cancellations for some destinations.

What has British Airways said to affected passengers 2026?

As reported by WalesOnline, British Airways said in its website statement:

“We have cancelled flights to and from Amman, Bahrain, Doha, Dubai and Tel Aviv until later this month and to and from Abu Dhabi until later this year. We are continually monitoring the situation and are in contact with our customers to provide various options.”

According to the Express, British Airways has told customers with bookings on or before 15 March that they can change their travel dates without penalty, with the spokesperson stressing:

“Passenger safety is our utmost concern, and we would never operate a flight unless conditions are safe.”

The Mirror reported that, in guidance issued on 28 February, British Airways stated:

“If you’re scheduled to fly between Heathrow and Abu Dhabi, Amman, Bahrain, Doha, Dubai, or Tel Aviv, you can change your flight free of charge up to and including March 6. Customers traveling up to and including March 4 may also request a full refund.”

As carried by the Express, British Airways advised passengers wishing to amend bookings to “contact our customer service centres”, where more detailed information on consumer rights and rebooking options is available.

Fox News reported that the airline reiterated on X:

“We’re keeping the situation under constant review and are in touch with our customers to offer them a range of options,”

underlining that flexibility will continue as long as instability persists.

How are airports and authorities in Abu Dhabi and the wider region responding 2026?

According to Fox News, Zayed International Airport in Abu Dhabi has advised that

“passengers are advised not to travel to the airport unless they hold a confirmed ticket and have been explicitly advised by their airline to do so”.

The same report noted that Dubai Airports said it was

“closely monitoring the situation in coordination with relevant authorities”

and that its focus remained on

“maintaining the highest standards of operational safety, security and well-being of passengers and staff”.

The Express highlighted that the UK Foreign Office has urged British nationals in locations including Dubai, Bahrain and Kuwait to

“stay indoors in a safe environment, avoid all travel, and adhere to the guidance provided by local authorities”

as tensions remain elevated.

The Mirror reported that the UK Foreign Office has similarly called on British citizens in Bahrain, Qatar, Kuwait and the UAE to “seek shelter immediately” following reports of explosions and drone strikes linked to the regional confrontation.

As detailed by the BBC, travellers have already been stranded in some Gulf states due to airport closures and drone strikes, underscoring the practical impact of both military activity and subsequent aviation restrictions on civilian movement.

What are other airlines doing about Middle East routes 2026?

Fox News reported that Lufthansa and Virgin Atlantic have also cancelled or brought forward the end dates of some services to Dubai, with Virgin Atlantic confirming that its Dubai route, which was seasonal and due to conclude on 28 March, would now end earlier due to the escalation in the Middle East.

According to the Mirror, British Airways, Virgin Atlantic and Wizz Air were among the carriers that cut back their services to Middle Eastern destinations, citing safety risks following US and Israeli airstrikes on Iran and subsequent retaliatory actions.

The BBC noted that airlines operating in and out of Israel and several Gulf states have had to adjust schedules, with some services suspended and others rerouted to avoid closed or restricted airspace.

Airways Magazine reported that British Airways’ inability to operate flights to Dubai, Doha, Abu Dhabi, Bahrain, Amman and Tel Aviv has effectively removed a swathe of its regional connectivity for the time being, while other carriers assess their own exposure and routing options.

Experts cited by the Mirror have warned that with multiple airlines cutting capacity, passengers might face “significant travel disruptions” and should be prepared to explore alternative routes via less-affected hubs.

What should British Airways customers and UK travellers do next 2026?

As reported by WalesOnline, British Airways has urged customers booked on affected flights to wait for direct communication where possible, noting in its statement that it is

“in contact with our customers to provide various options”,

including rebooking and limited repatriation capacity.

WalesOnline also highlighted that there are “limited seats available” on repatriation flights from Muscat, Oman, to London Heathrow on 11 and 12 March for those with existing bookings, after which those services will be paused due to lower demand, though the airline will continue to review the route.

According to the Express, travellers who booked British Airways tickets to Middle East destinations on or before 15 March are being offered the opportunity to change travel dates free of charge, and in some cases to seek refunds, by contacting BA customer service.

The Mirror reported that travel experts have advised passengers to “get creative” with travel plans by considering alternative routings via other regions, or delaying non-essential travel until the security situation and airspace restrictions become clearer.

The UK Foreign Office guidance, as cited by the Express and the BBC, recommends that Britons already in affected areas prioritise personal safety by remaining indoors, following local authority instructions and monitoring official travel advice before attempting to leave.