British Airways cancels several long-haul routes in 2021

Airline will no longer fly to Abu Dhabi and Jeddah next year

FILE PHOTO: A British Airways plane taxis past tail fins of parked aircraft near Terminal 5 at Heathrow Airport in London, Britain, March 14, 2020. REUTERS/Simon Dawson/File Photo

British Airways axed services to more than 15 long-haul destinations, including Abu Dhabi, next year.

Other Middle Eastern destinations affected by pared back operations include Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, and Muscat, Oman.

The cuts come as the carrier struggles to recoup losses sustained by the collapse in air travel caused by the Covid-19 pandemic.

Long-haul routes from Asia to North America to Australia are also affected.

BA will no longer fly to Pittsburgh, Calgary or Charlston in the US, and flights to Seoul, Kuala Lumpur and Osaka are also gone.

The airline has suspended flights to Sydney, Bangkok and San Jose until October 2021.

BA apologised for the changes but said the drop in international travel had forced its hand.

“We are sorry that, like other airlines, due to the current coronavirus pandemic and global travel restrictions we are operating a reduced and dynamic schedule,” the British flag carrier said.

“We will be in touch with any customers whose flights are affected and advise customers to check ba.com for the latest flight information.”

Customers affected by the cancellations will be refunded, the airline said.

BA posted a £4 billion ($5.39bn) loss in the first half of this year. It also made about 10,000 staff members redundant in the summer, drawing criticism that the airline had been using a “fire and rehire” strategy.

In October, it named former Aer Lingus boss Sean Doyle as its new chief executive, replacing Alex Cruz.

At the time the airline said it was facing the “worst crisis” in its 100-year history.