Close Menu
    Money

    British Airways, Other Airlines Cancel Middle East Flights

    Press RoomBy No Comments5 Mins Read

    • Several airlines are suspending flight routes to destinations in the Middle East well in advance.
    • British Airways cut flights to Abu Dhabi until later this year and others until later this month.
    • While some airlines are canceling routes, others are operating at a more limited capacity.

    The travel fallout from the war in Iran continues, with several airlines canceling flights to the Middle East weeks in advance or more.

    Thousands of flights were canceled across the region following the US-Israel attack on Iran on February 28 and subsequent retaliatory strikes. While some flights have resumed and many travelers who got stranded in places like Abu Dhabi and Doha have made it out, the travel disruptions are ongoing.

    Industry experts previously told Business Insider that the lasting impacts on tourism and global travel will likely depend on how long the war lasts, as well as how it ends. Canceled flights to Dubai International Airport, which serves as a common connector for routes between Europe, Asia, and Africa, could especially have a ripple effect.

    While some airlines are canceling routes altogether, others are continuing to operate but in a more limited capacity. Some airlines have also added repatriation flights to help stranded travelers get home.

    Here are the airlines that have suspended services to some destinations in the Middle East.

    British Airways

    British Airways said Tuesday it was canceling flights to Amman, Bahrain, Doha, Dubai, and Tel Aviv until later this month, and to and from Abu Dhabi until later this year.

    It’s unclear when the flights will resume. Flights from London to Abu Dhabi appeared to be bookable on the airline’s website starting April 16.

    British Airways also said it had limited seats remaining on its repatriation flights from Oman to London on March 11 and 12 for customers with existing bookings.

    “Following these dates, the flights will pause due to reduced demand but will be kept under continuous review,” the airline said.

    Air Canada

    Air Canada has canceled all flights to and from Dubai through March 28 and to Tel Aviv through May 2 due to the conflict.

    “If you are in either of these regions, please do not head to the airport. Your safety is our top priority,” the airline said in a statement last week.

    Virgin Atlantic

    Virgin Atlantic canceled its service to Dubai for the remainder of its usual season, or until March 28. The British airline, which typically only operates flights to Dubai seasonally, said in a statement that “the recent escalation in the Middle East has brought forward the end of our operation for this season.”

    Virgin also said Sunday it was canceling its flights to Riyadh for the next two weeks.

    Oman Air

    Oman Air said Sunday it was canceling all flights to and from the following locations through March 15: Amman, Dubai, Bahrain, Doha, Dammam, Kuwait, Copenhagen, Baghdad, and Khasab.

    The airline also said it was operating extra flights to and from Muscat during that time, including to London, Istanbul, Cairo, and other destinations in Europe and Asia.

    Air France

    Air France said Monday it was canceling flights to and from Dubai and Riyadh until March 12, and to and from Tel Aviv and Beirut until March 13.

    Lufthansa

    Lufthansa said this it was suspending flights to and from the following locations: Dubai, Abu Dhabi, and Dammam until March 15 and Tel Aviv until April 2.

    Previously the airline said it was suspending flights to and from Amman and Erbil until March 15, Beirut until March 28, and Tehran until April 30.

    Lufthansa said flights to and from Riyadh and Jeddah would continue.

    Finnair

    Finnair canceled all its flights to and from Doha and Dubai between February 28 and March 29.

    Share.

    Related Posts

    Leave A Reply