British Airways halts Gulf routes as Middle East airspace shuts down

• Flights across the Middle East have been grounded after US and Israeli strikes on Iran.
• British Airways is allowing free changes for certain bookings up to March 15.
• The Foreign Office has urged Britons in affected cities to remain indoors.

Air travel across the Middle East has been thrown into sudden disruption after what have been described as “major combat operations” by US and Israeli forces inside Iran. Retaliatory strikes have reportedly hit cities including Dubai, Doha, Bahrain and Kuwait — all home to US military bases — prompting widespread airspace closures.

For British travellers, the immediate impact is clear. Flights to key Gulf hubs such as Dubai and Doha have been cancelled or delayed, with several airports either closed or operating at limited capacity. These cities are not just holiday destinations. They are major transit points for long-haul routes linking the UK to Asia and Australia, meaning the knock-on effect could stretch far beyond the region.

British Airways changes travel rules

British Airways has updated its guidance for passengers due to travel to Abu Dhabi, Amman, Bahrain, Doha, Dubai or Tel Aviv. The airline confirmed that customers booked to travel up to and including March 15 can change their flight dates without paying a fee, provided they rebook for travel on or before March 29.

Passengers travelling up to and including March 8 can also request a full refund.

The airline said it was “closely monitoring the situation” and had cancelled a number of services to the Middle East. Safety, it added, “is always our top priority and we would never operate a flight unless it was safe to do so,” reportedly stated in a customer update.

Travellers have been advised to contact the airline directly or check its website for updates, as further cancellations cannot be ruled out.

Other international carriers are understood to have suspended services across parts of the Gulf, though schedules remain fluid.

Foreign office warning as damage reported

The UK government has issued stark guidance. The Foreign Office has advised against all travel to Israel and the Palestinian territories. Britons currently in locations including Dubai, Bahrain and Kuwait have been urged to remain indoors.

“Remain indoors in a secure location, avoid all travel and follow instructions from the local authorities,” the department reportedly said in a statement.

Prime Minister Keir Starmer said around 200,000 Britons are believed to be in the Gulf region. He urged nationals in affected areas to register with the Foreign Office to receive further advice.

Reports from Dubai suggest debris from intercepted missiles caused a fire at the five-star Fairmont The Palm on Palm Jumeirah. Damage has also reportedly been recorded at the Burj Al Arab, while a terminal at Dubai’s international airport was said to have been hit.

The situation remains uncertain. Airspace restrictions could ease quickly, or remain in place if further escalation follows. For now, thousands of British travellers are left waiting — checking departure boards, refreshing airline apps and watching events unfold from afar.

Anyone planning to travel through the region in the coming weeks is being urged to review airline policies carefully and stay in close contact with their carrier.

A destination that brings the Arctic to life

For travelers fascinated by science, history and northern culture, Arktikum in Rovaniemi stands out as one of Lapland’s most important cultural destinations. Open throughout the year, the museum and science center brings visitors face-to-face with Arctic landscapes, wildlife, indigenous Sámi traditions and stories from communities who have shaped life in the far north.

Located close to the Arctic Circle, Arktikum has become a gateway for understanding a region often perceived only through its winter extremes. The museum presents the Arctic not as a remote idea, but as a living environment where people adapt, innovate and build identity around nature.

Travelling to the UK or planning to build a life there is set to look very different from 2026, as the government moves to tighten controls at both the border and settlement stages. New entry checks for short term visitors are being rolled out at the same time as wide ranging reforms to how migrants qualify for permanent residence.

From January 8, 2026, most US citizens will need prior digital permission before travelling to the UK, even if they are only changing planes. The new system, known as the UK electronic travel authorisation, or ETA, ends decades of visa free, last minute travel for Americans.

Lapland’s husky heritage brought to life

Just a short distance from the centre of Rovaniemi, Arctic Circle Husky Park has become a popular destination for travellers wanting to connect with the culture and landscape of northern Finland. Set beside the world-famous Santa Claus Village, the park is a working home for more than 100 Siberian Huskies. Rather than simply being a photo opportunity, the site allows guests to step behind the scenes and learn how the dogs live, train and work throughout the year.

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A playful journey into the world of forests

Pilke Science Museum in Rovaniemi offers a rare blend of education, entertainment, and environmental insight. Designed for visitors of all ages, it opens a window into the role forests play in everyday life and why protecting them is essential for the planet’s future.

Finland is the most heavily forested country in Europe, with 77 per cent, around 26 million hectares, covered in woodland. Nine native tree species grow in Northern Finland, and nearly half of the forests are pine. Pilke helps visitors understand what this means in real terms, from nature to industry, culture to climate.