British Airways halts Abu Dhabi to Heathrow flights for summer 2025 amid engine issues
Customers offered refunds or rerouting via Etihad, Qatar Airways
ABU DHABI: In a major shake-up for travellers between the UAE and the UK, British Airways (BA) has announced the suspension of its London Heathrow to Abu Dhabi route for the summer 2025 season.
The cancellation, which will affect flights between March 30 and October 25, comes after ongoing technical issues with the Rolls-Royce Trent 1000 engines that power BA's Boeing 787 Dreamliner fleet.
The airline’s decision follows a series of delays in the delivery of essential parts for these engines, which have caused widespread operational disruptions. As a result, BA has taken the precautionary measure to halt its services on this popular route, which had only resumed in April 2024 after a four-year hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
A spokesperson from British Airways explained to Reuters, “We’ve made this decision to provide certainty to our customers and ensure the reliability of our operations. While we regret the disruption, this is necessary for the long-term sustainability of the service.”
Approximately 88,000 UK travellers had visited Abu Dhabi between January and September 2023, according to recent data, indicating the route’s growing importance.
Rebooking options
In light of the suspension, BA is offering a lifeline to affected passengers. Those with bookings for the cancelled flights are being given the option of a full refund or the chance to rebook on one of the airline’s partner carriers, including Etihad Airways and Qatar Airways.
The decision to suspend the route will also have a ripple effect on business and leisure travellers. Passengers from the UK, who would normally rely on this route for direct access to Abu Dhabi, now have the alternative of flying to Dubai instead. A quick 90-minute drive between Dubai and Abu Dhabi offers a simple workaround, with BA allowing flexible rebooking for this option.
Challenges for British Airways
This suspension is not an isolated incident. British Airways is currently grappling with significant operational challenges that have impacted its entire fleet. The airline has already reduced its long-haul flights to several other destinations, including New York, Kuala Lumpur, and Miami, due to ongoing engine supply issues.
Furthermore, BA has announced it will pull services to Kuwait and Bahrain, while suspending its flights to Tel Aviv until March 2025 due to heightened geopolitical tensions.
Despite the current operational hurdles, British Airways had initially hoped to stabilise airfares between the UAE and the UK, offering competitive pricing on the London-Abu Dhabi route when the service resumed earlier in 2024. This was seen as a strategic move to counterbalance the dominance of UAE-based airlines, which are well-known for their strong presence on this route.