British Airways has announced significant reductions to its flight schedule for the Summer 2026 season, affecting seven major destinations in the Middle East. The airline cites the ongoing conflict between Iran and US-Israeli forces as the primary reason for these changes.
Affected Routes and Frequency Reductions
As part of the revised schedule, which runs until October 24, 2026, British Airways is cutting services to six cities and permanently ending its route to a seventh. The most notable change is the reduction of flights to Dubai from three per day to just one, with a second daily flight expected to resume on August 1 and a third planned from October 16.
Flights to Doha in Qatar, Riyadh in Saudi Arabia, and Tel Aviv in Israel are being reduced from twice-daily to once-daily services. All three routes are anticipated to return to their normal frequency on August 1. Additionally, services to Bahrain and Amman in Jordan will also see reductions, though specific details have not been disclosed.
Permanent Route Cancellation
Following a broader review of its network, British Airways has decided to permanently terminate its route to Jeddah in Saudi Arabia, effective from April 24. This marks a complete withdrawal from the destination.
In an official statement, the airline explained: "Due to the ongoing situation in the Middle East, we have made further changes to our flying schedule to provide greater clarity for our customers. We are keeping the situation under constant review and are directly in touch with affected customers to offer them a range of options."
British Airways also highlighted its efforts to assist passengers during the disruption: "Since the disruption began, we have helped thousands of customers return home, operated relief flights, and added additional capacity on key long-haul routes. We will continue to assess and introduce further flying where possible."
Full List of Affected Destinations
- Tel Aviv, Israel
- Dubai, United Arab Emirates
- Doha, Qatar
- Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
- Bahrain
- Amman, Jordan
- Jeddah, Saudi Arabia (permanently ended)
Passengers affected by these changes are being contacted directly by British Airways to discuss alternative travel arrangements or refunds. The airline continues to monitor the geopolitical situation and may adjust its schedule further if necessary.
