Services to Abu Dhabi, Amman, Bahrain, Doha, Dubai, Tel Aviv, Jeddah and Riyadh have been “cancelled or temporarily suspended”, BA said.

Dubai had been due to resume on 1 July, but suspensions now apply up to and including 24 October, the low season in the Middle East. Tel Aviv, Bahrain and Amman are also due to resume on 25 October.

Services to Doha will restart on 1 August and Riyadh on 8 August but both will be daily instead of twice daily. BA has previously said Jeddah will not return.

Passengers can request a full refund for tickets for travel until 31 October. Bookings can also be changed to a later date or to another BA route without charge, although any fare difference “may apply”.

Rival Virgin Atlantic paused its winter-only Dubai flights in early March but has, like BA, said it plans to operate them next winter. Virgin scrapped its Riyadh service in April after less than a year but continues to sell the destination via SkyTeam partner Saudia.

A wider shake up of its schedule was announced in early May.

A Virgin spokesperson said: “Unfortunately, we have taken the difficult decision to temporarily suspend our seasonal service to Dubai for the winter 2026 season.” Virgin currently intends to resume next winter.

BA and Virgin’s Middle East traffic is predominantly point to point, unlike those operated by the Gulf airlines.

Emirates, Qatar Airways, Etihad and Gulf Air's business in the UK market has collapsed since the start of the Iran war with the Foreign Office continuing to advise against all but essential travel to the United Arab Emirates, Qatar and Bahrain.

This typically means travellers' travel insurance is invalid even if they only pass through the airport to change flights.

Once restrictions are lifted, it is likely the Gulf carriers will attempt to stimulate the winter market with significant fare reductions.