British Airways will bring back services to the Middle East in July, but with fewer flights than before, as the airline adjusts its network in response to the ongoing Iran war.
The carrier has suspended flights to the region during the disruption. When services resume, BA plans to operate a reduced schedule and use some of its aircraft on more direct routes to India and Kenya.
According to the airline’s current plan, flights to Saudi Arabia’s capital, Riyadh, will restart in mid-May. Services to Dubai, Doha and Tel Aviv are due to resume on 1 July.
However, the restored schedule will be smaller than the one in place before the suspension. BA is cutting its Dubai service from three flights a day to one daily flight. Services to Doha, Tel Aviv and Riyadh will each be reduced from two flights a day to one.
The changes show how the airline is reshaping its long-haul network while demand and safety conditions continue to shift across the region. By reducing frequency on some Middle East routes, BA plans to free up aircraft for other destinations, including additional direct links to India and Kenya.
The move comes as airlines continue to respond to the wider impact of the conflict on regional air travel. For British Airways, the immediate focus appears to be a phased return to key destinations, starting with Riyadh in May and followed by the larger restarts scheduled for July.
Although the airline will be back in the Middle East this summer, travellers should expect fewer options than before the suspension, particularly on routes to Dubai. The reduced schedule suggests BA is prioritising network flexibility while restoring some of its most important services.
