British Airways Dubai and Riyadh flights to resume on 3 November; Virgin Atlantic Dubai off until 2027

What has been announced

King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh reopened on Sunday 18 October after a closure that followed attacks by Yemen's Houthi rebels, The National reported. Many airlines have kept their suspensions to Saudi Arabia and the UAE in place, citing the security situation in the region.

British Airways is due to return to Riyadh with one daily flight on 3 November, according to The National. Gulf News, in its 21 October update, also lists BA's Dubai flights as scheduled to resume on 3 November. Emirates 24|7 reported in September that the London-Dubai service would restart daily in winter and rise to twice daily in summer. Time Out Dubai describes the Dubai pause as running up to and including 3 November, so the first flight date may differ by a day: check your booking. BA's Abu Dhabi route stays suspended until the winter 2027-28 season, according to Gulf News.

Virgin Atlantic and connecting flights

Virgin Atlantic's seasonal London Heathrow-Dubai service is suspended and will not return until 2027 at the earliest, Time Out Dubai reported. Passengers connecting through Europe also face gaps: Air France has suspended Dubai flights up to and including 31 October, according to Time Out Dubai and Arabian Business, and KLM was not flying to Dubai up to and including 24 October. The Lufthansa Group is restarting Dubai in stages from late October but keeps Riyadh suspended until 18 November, Arabian Business reported.

Dates have been extended several times in recent weeks and may change again. Check your flight status before travelling. If you booked through a travel agent, contact the agent about changes to your ticket.

Your rights if your Middle East flight is cancelled

UK261 covers flights departing the UK and flights to the UK on UK or EU airlines, such as British Airways or Virgin Atlantic flying back from Dubai. If your flight is cancelled, you are entitled to a refund or rerouting, and to care if you are already at the airport: meals, refreshments and a hotel if you are stuck overnight.

Compensation is unlikely for these suspensions. A cancellation decided because of a security risk is usually an extraordinary circumstance, and no compensation is due when the airline told you more than 14 days before departure. It depends on the facts, though, especially if a flight is cancelled or heavily delayed for another reason. FlightClaimHQ can check your case and handle the claim for you.

When will British Airways fly to Dubai again?

BA plans to resume Dubai flights on 3 November 2026, according to Gulf News and Emirates 24|7. Time Out Dubai lists the pause as running up to and including 3 November, so check your booking.

Is Virgin Atlantic flying to Dubai this winter?

No. Time Out Dubai reported that Virgin Atlantic's seasonal Heathrow-Dubai route will not return before 2027.