British Airways flights: Six destinations including Dubai cancelled as military conflict in Iran continues
British Airways flights to six destinations - including Dubai - have been cancelled, the airline has confirmed.
All British Airways flights to Dubai have been cancelled until the summer - as the military conflict in Iran continues. The airline said "continued uncertainty" and "airspace instability" were behind the decision, as the US and Israel continue to bombard Iran, which is responding with drone and missile fire into neighbouring countries.
BA also said it was suspending flights to Amman, Bahrain and Tel Aviv, until after May 31, with trips to Doha in Qatar on hold until the end of April and routes to Abu Dhabi called off until later in the year. It is the largest series of flight cancellations so far during the military operation in Iran, which has passed the two-week mark, and comes after an Iranian drone hit a fuel tank near Dubai Airport in the latest series of attacks.
Planes were diverted and roads closed as a fire raged following the strike, with airline Emirates forced to divert flights mid-air - including from Heathrow, Edinburgh, Manchester and Dublin, who returned to their departure point. It is understood BA will continue to serve Riyadh and Jeddah, in Saudi Arabia.
Drone attacks from Iran have lessened in recent days, though airports, ports and oil facilities have continued to be targeted. The government said amid the crisis, more than 63,000 Britons have returned to the UK from the United Arab Emirates since the start of the conflict, though many have struggled to secure passage out of the Middle East amid flight cancellations.
However, Qatar airways said it would increase its number of flights from Wednesday, though a spokesperson warned the number of flights that can operate each day is "extremely limited under the current operational conditions". "Each flight requires careful planning and remains subject to regulatory approvals and airspace conditions," they said.
Meanwhile, US President Donald Trump told PBS News on Monday (March 16) that increased prices at the pumps was "a very small price to pay" during the conflict, which he said would not continue for long.