Air travel to Sri Lanka shows slight recovery

• 5 int’l airlines operating from ME to SL recommence operations
• Remaining 2 likely to resume operations soon
• Airlines only operating special or ad hoc flights 

Disruptions of flights to Sri Lanka from Middle Eastern and European airlines caused by the Middle Eastern conflict have shown slight improvements, according to the Ministry of Ports and Civil Aviation. 

Speaking to The Sunday Morning Business, Deputy Minister of Ports and Civil Aviation Janitha Ruwan Kodithuwakku stated that following the outbreak of the Middle Eastern conflict in early March, international airlines operating from the region had suspended flights to Sri Lanka. 

However, he clarified that this was not specific to Sri Lanka, but rather due to a complete shutdown of airline operations across the region as a result of the conflict.

The Deputy Minister further revealed that out of the seven international airlines operating from the Middle East to Sri Lanka, five had now recommenced operations, while two airlines were yet to resume services.

Kodithuwakku stated: “There are around seven international airlines from the Middle East that operate flights to Sri Lanka. Initially, almost all of them stopped operations. However, at present, except for two, namely Gulf Air and another airline, the remaining five have resumed operations to Sri Lanka.”

He opined that the remaining two Middle Eastern airlines were also likely to resume operations in the near future.

However, the Deputy Minister clarified that the five airlines that had resumed operations were not operating scheduled flights yet. Instead, they are operating special or ad hoc flights depending on the availability of airspace and landing slots.

“These airlines are not operating scheduled flights. Scheduled flights are services operating at fixed times. These flights are currently operating based on when airspace is open and slots are available. These five airlines are operating such customised flights,” he explained.

Kodithuwakku noted that in addition to these airlines, Sri Lanka’s National Carrier, SriLankan Airlines, along with FitsAir, continued to operate flights to the Middle East.

He further revealed that European airline operations had also been impacted by the ongoing conflict, as many of their transit routes previously passed through the region. These have now been rerouted through alternative hubs such as Istanbul.

“Initially, there was a 60% drop in European flight operations. This has now improved to around a 30% reduction,” he stated.

Source: The morning