The carrier said it was “pausing” its service from the end of October until at least November next year. While flights to Shanghai and Hong Kong will continue.

It comes amid weaker demand and a ban on UK flights over Russian airspace, which has resulted in longer journey times on some routes.

Russia’s civil aviation authority introduced the restrictions in February 2022, in retaliation to a British ban on the country’s Aeroflot airline as part of sanctions related to the war in Ukraine.

Luis Gallego, the chief executive of BA’s parent company IAG, also warned earlier this month that the firm’s capacity in Asian markets was “very reduced”.

It is understood that the carrier could eventually resume flights to Beijing and will keep its current decision under review.