British Airways to Suspend Beijing Flights

Reduced Demand Leads to Scale Back

British Airways has become the latest European airline to announce a reduction in flights to China, citing weakening demand. The carrier confirmed on Thursday that it will halt flights between London and Beijing in late October.

Suspension Timeline

The suspension will take effect on October 26, 2024, and is expected to last until November 2025. British Airways stated that the decision was made due to a significant decline in passenger traffic between the two cities.

Impact of Ban

The reduction in flights to Beijing comes amid ongoing travel restrictions imposed by the Chinese government in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. British Airways had previously been banned from operating flights to China since March 2023.

Historical Context

British Airways resumed flights to Beijing in June 2023 after a three-year hiatus caused by the pandemic. However, passenger demand has not recovered to pre-pandemic levels, prompting the airline to make this difficult decision.