British Airways suspends flights to Dubai and Qatar after Donald Trump's bombing raid on Iran

Grounded BA planes
PA
James Saunders

By James Saunders


Published: 22/06/2025

- 14:49

Updated: 22/06/2025

- 16:02

Britain's flag carrier airline said its hand had been forced by 'recent events'

British Airways has suspended all its flights to Dubai and Doha, Qatar, in the wake of last night's US bombing raids on Iran.

The flag carrier airline said its hand had been forced by "recent events" - and said the move is in the interests of passenger safety.


"As a result of recent events, we have adjusted our flight schedule to ensure the safety of our customers and crew, which is always our top priority," a BA spokesman said.

"We are contacting our customers to advise them of their options while we work through this developing situation."

BA cancellations map

As many as 1,000 passengers are now said to be waiting in the UAE to fly home

GB NEWS

As many as 1,000 passengers are now said to be waiting in the UAE to fly home after British Airways cancelled four flights from London Heathrow to Dubai.

One BA flight had departed Heathrow for Dubai at 9.53pm on Saturday before before being diverted.

That plane eventually landed in Zurich after nine hours in the air.

As news of the US raids on Iran broke, another BA flight to London from Chennai in India turned back, before later refuelling and safely completing its trip.

British Airways has already suspended flights to Bahrain until June 30.

And fellow flag carrier Singapore Airlines said it had cancelled two flights between Singapore and Dubai on Sunday after undertaking "a security assessment of the geopolitical situation in the Middle East".

LATEST AFTER DONALD TRUMP BOMBS IRAN:

dubai stock image

One BA flight had departed Heathrow for Dubai (pictured) at 9.53pm on Saturday before before being diverted to Switzerland

GETTY

American Airlines, United Airlines and Finnair had all cancelled flights to either Doha or Dubai before the overnight strikes were carried out.

And early this morning, Israel closed its own airspace - but local carrier Arkia said it would be restarting rescue flights to bring back Israelis stranded abroad as soon as possible.

Just days ago an urgent travel alert was issued by the British Foreign Office for six countries across the Middle East.

The alert warns Britons of travel disruption, including short-notice airspace closures, delayed and cancelled flights, and other unanticipated travel impacts.

Flight tracking data shortly after 1am BST

PICTURED: Flight tracking data shortly after 1am BST. Skies over Iran were free of aircraft as American B2 bombers struck overnight

FLIGHTRADAR24

The six countries impacted are Oman, Qatar, the UAE, Bahrain, Saudi Arabia and Kuwait.

Flight tracking website Flightradar24 has noted that commercial air traffic in the Middle East has not shown further signs of disruption in the wake of the US bombings on Iran.

"Following US attacks on Iranian nuclear facilities, commercial traffic in the region is operating as it has since new airspace restrictions were put into place last week," it said.

Russia's skies are also still closed to Western carriers, forcing planes to fly through a narrow strip of open airspace over Turkey, the Caspian Sea and central Asia.