Virgin Atlantic has announced it will discontinue its London Heathrow to Riyadh service from 7 April, just over a year after the route was launched. The airline cited the ongoing conflict in the Middle East, changes in demand, and operating costs as reasons for the decision.
The carrier will also cancel its Manchester to Jeddah flights. However, Virgin Atlantic will continue to offer connectivity to Saudi Arabia through its codeshare and SkyTeam partner, Saudia, allowing customers to book seats on Saudia-operated flights.
Dave Geer, chief commercial officer of Virgin Atlantic, expressed regret over the cancellation, acknowledging the route's importance to customers. He noted that the airline is increasing flights to its largest markets—the USA, Caribbean, and India—for the summer season.
Affected customers will be contacted with options, including rebooking onto alternative carriers or receiving a refund. The UK Foreign Office currently advises against all but essential travel to parts of Saudi Arabia, including Riyadh.
Additionally, Virgin Atlantic has suspended its seasonal Dubai service until the end of the Winter 2025 season (28 March), with a planned return for Winter 2026 subject to safety assessments and demand.
