Daminda Rambukwella, Director General of the Civil Aviation Authority of Sri Lanka, says seven flights are scheduled to operate to the Middle East today, despite ongoing airspace restrictions in several countries in the region.
Speaking to Newsfirst, Rambukwella confirmed that SriLankan Airlines will operate two additional flights to London today alongside its regular schedule.
He also noted that flights from Sri Lanka to Frankfurt and Paris are continuing as scheduled, while services to South Asia, the Far East and Australia remain unaffected.
Some Middle East Flights Suspended
However, Rambukwella explained that several flights departing from and arriving in Sri Lanka to certain Middle Eastern destinations have been temporarily suspended due to airspace closures announced through NOTAMs (Notices to Airmen).
He noted that yesterday SriLankan Airlines operated a special flight to Dubai, while FitsAir also operated a service to the same destination.
Following the temporary reopening of airspace in the United Arab Emirates, Emirates operated a special flight to Colombo, which landed, disembarked passengers and returned to Dubai.
Other Flights Operating
Rambukwella added that SalamAir from Oman also arrived in Sri Lanka early this morning and departed as scheduled. Oman’s airspace has remained open since Monday, with SalamAir operating six flights per week.
Today’s Middle East flight schedule includes:
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One flight to Dubai
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One flight to Riyadh
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A FitsAir service to Dubai, returning with passengers to Sri Lanka
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Three Flydubai flights from Dubai to Colombo (one in the morning and two later in the day)
In total, approximately seven flights are operating to and from the Middle East today.
Hundreds of Flights Cancelled
Despite these limited operations, Rambukwella revealed that 288 flights have been cancelled between February 28 and today due to disruptions caused by the regional conflict and airspace restrictions.
He reassured that flights to Europe, South Asia and Far Eastern destinations continue to operate normally.
