Flights from London to Dubai and Doha have been cancelled after Donald Trump ordered an unprecedented US attack on Iran‘s nuclear sites.
All of British Airways‘s flights to Dubai and Doha that were scheduled to depart from Heathrow on Sunday have been cancelled, including return flights, the company said.
The airline made the call after the US struck three nuclear sites in Iran overnight prompting Tehran to launch a retaliatory ballistic missile barrage against Israel.
Israel also announced on Sunday that it had closed its airspace to both inbound and outbound flights in the wake of the US attacks.
The fearful decision comes after a BA flight from London Heathrow to Dubai was diverted to Zurich on Saturday night.
The BA109 flight departed from the UK at 9.53pm on Saturday and reached Saudi Arabia before the Boeing 787 Dreamliner changed its course, landing in Switzerland, according to flight-tracking website Flightradar24.
In a statement, British Airways said: ‘As a result of recent events, we have adjusted our flight schedule to ensure the safety of our customers and crew, which is always our top priority.
‘We are contacting our customers to advise them of their options while we work through this developing situation.’
Flights from London to Dubai and Doha have been cancelled after Donald Trump ordered an unprecedented US attack on Iran ‘s nuclear sites. Pictured: Grounded flights at Heathrow Airport Terminal 2 (stock image)
The locations of the US strikes on nuclear facilities in Iran
B-2 Stealth Bombers were used in the attack to drop bunker buster bombs
BA is offering a flexible booking policy for customers already booked onto flights to Dubai and Doha between Sunday and Tuesday who wish to change their dates of travel.
According to Gatwick’s website, flights to and from the airport to Doha and Dubai are continuing as scheduled.
The decision comes after top US officials have urged Iran to surrender after strikes on the nation’s nuclear sites ‘severely damaged’ its nuclear capabilities overnight.
President Trump broke his two-week deadline on Saturday night as he launched ‘Operation Midnight Hammer’, sending a fleet of B-2 bombers to key nuclear sites.
The US strikes included 14 bunker-buster bombs, more than two dozen Tomahawk missiles and over 125 military aircraft, which targeted three critical sites.
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said at a Sunday morning press conference that the strikes were ‘bold’ and ‘brilliant’, and warned Iran that there would be dire consequences if it does not come to the negotiating table.
Officials admitted that it is ‘way too early’ to say whether Iran still retains some nuclear capabilities, with sources saying the deep underground Fordow site was not entirely destroyed in the operation.
World leaders condemned Trump’s decision to wade into the conflict, with Chinese President Xi Jinping saying Trump ‘violated’ international peace.
The Prime Minister urged all sides to return to negotiations but said he had taken ‘all necessary measures’ to protect British interests in the region if the conflict escalates.
Business Secretary Jonathan Reynolds told Sky News the UK was not involved in the attacks but it was told in advance that it was happening
Fordow before it was ‘obliterated’ by Trump in the attack
Iran’s foreign minister branded Trump a ‘lawless bully’ who ‘betrayed’ diplomacy after the US blew up three nuclear bases – as he warned the world has been thrown into an ‘unprecedented level of danger’.
Early Sunday morning, Iran retaliated by targeting Israel in a devastating set of attacks – with emergency services reporting at least 16 people injured.
Meanwhile Sir Keir Starmer has urged all sides to return to negotiations but said he had taken ‘all necessary measures’ to protect British interests in the region if the conflict escalates.
He spoke out ahead of a Cobra meeting on Sunday afternoon, as Tehran vowed to retaliate for the strike on three facilities in the heart of the country.
Business Secretary Jonathan Reynolds confirmed this morning that the UK was told about the airstrike in advance but played no role in it.
But he said it would be ‘naïve’ not to expect the UK to face a heightened risk from the already high risk of Iran-sponsored terrorism in the wake of what was happening.
The PM this morning said the attack was justified because Iran’s nuclear programme was ‘a grave threat to international security’.
But speaking later to broadcasters at his Chequers country retreat, the Prime Minister said there was a ‘risk of escalation’ adding: ‘That’s a risk to the region. It’s a risk beyond the region, and that’s why all our focus has been on de-escalating, getting people back around to negotiate what is a very real threat in relation to the nuclear programme.’
Efforts are underway to get trapped Britons out of Israel, as Tehran launched a barrage of revenge missiles at the country.
Mr Reynolds said it would be ‘hours, not days’ before they could be evacuated, with delays so far caused by Israeli airspace being closed.
The Foreign Office has asked British nationals in Israel to register their interest in a Government-organised flight out of the country early next week.
