Dubai is estimated to have lost around £450 million a day
British Airways has restarted flights to Dubai after an eight-month suspension caused by the Iran war, giving UK travellers another direct route to one of the world’s most popular holiday destinations.
The airline resumed its London Heathrow service on November 3, operating one daily flight to Dubai International Airport (DXB).
The return follows months of disruption after US-Israeli strikes in late February forced the airline to ground its services.
November fares start from £329 one-way, giving travellers a fresh opportunity to book a trip to the UAE.
British Airways is also planning to increase the route to two daily departures by summer 2027, signalling a gradual return to its Middle East network.
The Impact on Dubai’s Tourism
Before the conflict, Dubai was one of the world’s most visited cities, welcoming more than 1.4 million British tourists in 2025 and over 19 million visitors overall.
However, the outbreak of war dealt a considerable blow to its tourism industry, with visitor numbers reportedly falling by more than 44%.
Dubai is estimated to have lost around £450 million a day during the summer as tourists stayed away.
There are now signs of recovery.
Dubai’s travel office reported its highest visitor numbers in August 2026, while hotel occupancy reached 66%, up from 36% in March. Western Europe accounted for 20% of arrivals, with South Asia following closely at 17%.
Despite the improvement, regional instability and flight disruptions continue to threaten the recovery.
Dubai is introducing three initiatives to attract more visitors: a citywide loyalty programme, a digital tourist visa application process and a centralised online platform for tourist information and government services.
In response, Dubai is launching three initiatives to boost tourism.
This includes a Marks & Spencer food hall, the biggest outside the UK.
What other Airlines are offering Flights to Dubai?
British Airways is among several airlines operating or restoring services to Dubai, although others are taking a more cautious approach.
Emirates, Air India, IndiGo, Turkish Airlines and flydubai continue to operate routes, while Qatar Airways and Gulf Air resumed their Dubai services in April.
However, Cathay Pacific, Air Canada, United Airlines, Virgin Atlantic, Finnair and Luxair have confirmed that they will not resume flights to Dubai until 2027.
Cathay Pacific is expected to return in January, while KLM, United Airlines, Air Canada and Wizz Air are eyeing a March 2027 launch.
Singapore Airlines has also suspended all pre-booked flights between Singapore Changi Airport and Dubai International Airport until February 28, 2027, offering affected passengers full refunds.
British Airways had suspended all flights to Israel, the United Arab Emirates, Jordan and Qatar in March as the conflict escalated.
Its Israel services resumed on October 25, but with one daily flight instead of the previous two. Flights to Jordan are scheduled to return on November 4, operating four times a week.
Those hoping to fly directly to Abu Dhabi with BA will have a longer wait.
The airline has confirmed that the route will remain suspended until the winter 2027–28 season as it continues to review its wider Middle East network.
Is it Safe to Travel to Dubai?
The return of British Airways flights does not mean the security situation in the Middle East has stabilised.
The UK government’s travel advice for the UAE warns that the Middle East “remains deeply unpredictable and the risk of sudden escalation is high”.
The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) advises travellers to obtain appropriate travel insurance, monitor developments in the region, follow local authorities’ instructions and avoid areas around security or military facilities.
It also warns that further escalation could lead to flight cancellations, airspace closures and wider travel disruption, potentially affecting passengers even when their destination is not directly involved in the conflict.
There is currently no FCDO warning against travelling to Dubai, following the lifting of the previous advice on June 18 after four months.
However, travellers should check the latest government guidance and airline updates before departure.
For holidaymakers, British Airways’ return provides another direct option for reaching Dubai, but uncertainty remains.
With other airlines still holding back their services, anyone planning a trip should consider the possibility of last-minute changes and ensure their travel insurance covers potential disruption.
