British Airways resumes major flight route after 8-month suspension

British Airways is set to resume direct flights to Dubai (Picture: Jakub Porzycki/NurPhoto via Getty Images) British Airways is bringing back its flights to Dubai following an eight-month suspension triggered by the Iran war. A single daily service from London Heathrow is set to resume on Tuesday, November 3 to Dubai International Airport (DXB), with one-way flights in November as low as £329. This marks a major milestone after flights were grounded following US-Israeli strikes in late February. BA plans to ramp up the route further, with frequency expected to increase to two departures a day by summer 2027. The impact on Dubai’s tourism Prior to the conflict, Dubai was one of the world’s most visited cities, and saw over 1.4 million British tourists in 2025, and over 19 million in total. However, following the conflict, tourism dropped by over 44%, with the city losing an estimated £450 million a day during the summer, due to the substantial loss in visitor numbers. However, Dubai’s tourism sector gained strong momentum through late summer and early autumn this year. Dubai’s travel office reported its highest visitor numbers this August since February, with 66% hotel occupancy, up from 36% in March. Western Europe led the arrivals with 20% of visitors, followed closely by South Asia at 17%. Though Dubai’s tourism is slowly recovering, regional instability and air travel disruptions are still set to impact tourism. Flights to Dubai were suspended due to the conflict in Iran (Picture: Shutterstock / extradeda) Ask Metro Use AI to go deeper into the stories you care about – powered by Metro and trusted publications. In response, the city is now launching three initiatives to boost tourism. These include a citywide visitor loyalty programme, a digital tourist visa application to simplify the process, and a single online platform for tourist information and government services. Marks & Spencer is also set to open its biggest food hall outside of the UK in Dubai next month. The 15,327 sq ft store will stock over 3,500 M&S products alongside new concepts such as the first M&S Patisserie in the Middle East, a fruit butcher, sushi counter, rotisserie chicken station and pizza oven. What other airlines are offering flights to Dubai? Emirates, Air India, Indigo, Turkish Airlines and flydubai continue to operate routes, and both Qatar Airways and Gulf Air resumed flights to Dubai in April. However, KLM, Cathay Pacific, Air Canada, United Airlines, Virgin Atlantic, Finnair and Luxair all confirmed that they will not resume flights to Dubai until 2027. Cathay Pacific is set to return in January, while KLM, United Airlines, Air Canada and Wizz Air are currently eyeing a March 2027 launch. A new M&S Foodhall in Dubai could help boost its tourism (Picture: Geography Photos/Universal Images Group via Getty Images) Singapore Airlines recently announced it was cancelling all pre-booked flights between Singapore Changi Airport and Dubai International Airport until February 28, 2027, offering all passengers full refunds. BA also suspended all flights to Israel, the United Arab Emirates, Jordan and Qatar in March. Flights to Israel resumed October 25 but are once-daily, down from its previous twice-daily service. Flights to Jordan are set to resume on November 4, but reduced to four times a week. Travellers will need to wait longer for the return of the Abu Dhabi route, however, as BA has confirmed that its Abu Dhabi service remains suspended until the winter 2027–28 season as it continues to review its wider Middle East network. Dubai’s airport traffic reduced by 31% due to the war this year (Picture: Shutterstock / Hit1912) Is it safe to travel to Dubai? Though British Airways has resumed, the gov.uk site warns that the Middle East ‘remains deeply unpredictable and the risk of sudden escalation is high.’ The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) advise obtaining travel insurance, keeping up to date with the conflict abroad, staying away from areas around security or military facilities, and following the advice of local authorities. The FCDO add that British nationals planning to travel should prepare themselves for the chance of flight cancellation, airspace closure and travel disruptions. Our Top Shopping Picks QVC shoppers can save £159 on Elemis' biggest beauty gift set of the year This Hoover vacuum is a game-changer for pet owners and muddy homes See London's Christmas lights from an open-top double-decker bus this winter My skin always suffers when the heating goes on but this serum changed that The skincare formula that finally took the guesswork out of my routine However, there is no travel warning against travelling to Dubai at this moment, which was lifted on June 18, after four months. Keeping safe when traveling to Dubai Metro spoke to Sarah Rodrigues, travel expert with Avanti Travel Insurance, for her advice if you are planning on travelling to Dubai. ‘British Airways’ return to Dubai will be welcome news for people who have been waiting to book a winter break, visit family or travel onwards to destinations across Asia,’ she acknowledges. ‘November is a particularly good time to visit, as the temperatures are more comfortable and it’s easier to spend time exploring the city.’ However, there are a few things to take into consideration: Check FCDO advice before you travel. ‘Make a habit of checking the Foreign Office advice when you book and again before you leave. It’s also worth signing up for email alerts, so you can keep up to date with any changes while you’re away.’ Book your holiday carefully. ‘Where possible, booking your flights and hotel together can give you extra protection if your plans need to change. If you prefer to book separately, look for flexible flight options and accommodation with free cancellation, where available.’ Keep connecting flights on one ticket. ‘If you’re travelling through Dubai on your way to Asia or Australia, try to book the whole journey on one ticket. This can make things much easier if a connecting flight is disrupted, as the airline will be responsible for helping you reach your final destination.’ Check that your medication is permitted. ‘Some medicines that are commonly used in the UK, including certain painkillers and sleeping tablets, are controlled in the UAE. Check the UAE government’s controlled medicines list before travelling. If your medication requires approval, make sure you apply online to UAE Ministry of Health in advance and take your prescription with you. If you’re unsure about anything, speak to your pharmacist or GP before you go.’ Familiarise yourself with local laws and customs. ‘Drinking alcohol in public is illegal, and there are restrictions on online content, including posts that criticise the UAE or relate to incidents there. Be mindful of dress expectations in shopping malls and religious sites, too. If you’re travelling in late winter, check the dates of Ramadan, as this can affect daily routines and opening hours.’ Do you have a story you’d like to share? Get in touch by emailing MetroLifestyleTeam@metro.co.uk Arrow MORE: Adventurer Karl Bushby arrives home in UK after a 28-year walk from South America Arrow MORE: Tucker Carlson makes audacious claim that the US could nuke Iran’s Pickax Mountain Arrow MORE: Iran ‘kill list’ still exposing details of ‘traitors’ living in exile in UK The Getaway Expert Your exclusive seven-day guide to travelling with confidence from Metro's resident travel expert, Alice Murphy.