British Airways is resuming its flights to Dubai after an eight-month suspension triggered by the Iran war. A single daily service from London Heathrow is set to return on Tuesday, November 3, to Dubai International Airport (DXB), with one-way fares in November starting at £329.
The route was grounded following US-Israeli strikes in late February. The carrier plans to increase frequency to two departures a day by summer 2027.
Dubai tourism impact
Before the conflict, Dubai was one of the world's most visited cities, welcoming over 1.4 million British tourists in 2025 and more than 19 million visitors in total. Tourism dropped by over 44% after the conflict, with the city losing an estimated £450 million a day during the summer due to the fall in visitor numbers.
However, Dubai's tourism sector gained momentum through late summer and early autumn. The city's travel office reported its highest visitor numbers in August since February, with hotel occupancy at 66%, up from 36% in March. Western Europe led arrivals with 20% of visitors, followed by South Asia at 17%.
Despite the gradual recovery, regional instability and air travel disruptions are still expected to affect tourism.
New initiatives and retail expansion
In response, the city is launching three initiatives to boost tourism: a citywide visitor loyalty programme, a digital tourist visa application, and a single online platform for tourist information and government services.
Marks & Spencer is also set to open its biggest food hall outside the UK in Dubai next month. The 15,327 sq ft store will stock over 3,500 M&S products, alongside new concepts including the first M&S Patisserie in the Middle East, a fruit butcher, sushi counter, rotisserie chicken station and pizza oven.
Other airlines and route status
Emirates, Air India, Indigo, Turkish Airlines and flydubai continue to operate routes, while Qatar Airways and Gulf Air resumed flights to Dubai in April. KLM, Cathay Pacific, Air Canada, United Airlines, Virgin Atlantic, Finnair and Luxair have confirmed they will not resume flights to Dubai until 2027. Cathay Pacific is set to return in January, while KLM, United Airlines, Air Canada and Wizz Air are eyeing a March 2027 launch.
Singapore Airlines recently announced it is cancelling all pre-booked flights between Singapore Changi Airport and Dubai International Airport until February 28, 2027, offering full refunds to passengers.
BA also suspended all flights to Israel, the United Arab Emirates, Jordan and Qatar in March. Flights to Israel resumed on October 25 but are once-daily, down from its previous twice-daily service. Flights to Jordan are set to resume on November 4, reduced to four times a week. The Abu Dhabi route remains suspended until the winter 2027–28 season as BA continues to review its wider Middle East network.
Travel advice
The gov.uk site warns that the Middle East 'remains deeply unpredictable and the risk of sudden escalation is high.' The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) advises obtaining travel insurance, staying up to date with the conflict, avoiding areas around security or military facilities, and following local authority advice. British nationals should also prepare for the possibility of flight cancellation, airspace closure and travel disruptions.
There is no travel warning against travelling to Dubai at this moment, which was lifted on June 18 after four months.
Sarah Rodrigues, travel expert with Avanti Travel Insurance, said: 'British Airways' return to Dubai will be welcome news for people who have been waiting to book a winter break, visit family or travel onwards to destinations across Asia.' She added that November is a good time to visit due to more comfortable temperatures.
Rodrigues advises checking FCDO advice before travel, booking flights and hotels together where possible, keeping connecting flights on one ticket, checking that medication is permitted in the UAE, and familiarising oneself with local laws and customs, including restrictions on alcohol and online content.
