205 flights to and from BIA cancelled amid Middle East conflict

By T.K.G. Kapila

Colombo, March 3 (Daily Mirror) - Minister of Ports and Civil Aviation Anura Karunathilaka today said that 205 flights to and from Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) in Katunayake were cancelled on March 3 due to the ongoing war situation in the Middle East.

He said the Civil Aviation Authority and airlines operating in the region had taken steps to cancel 107 incoming flights to Katunayake and 98 outgoing flights from Katunayake to Middle Eastern destinations.

The Minister further said that the airspaces of Abu Dhabi, Dubai and Sharjah, which had been restricted for a limited period, were reopened temporarily, allowing only special aircraft to operate.

He also noted that a large number of foreign tourists are currently in other countries with the intention of travelling to Sri Lanka, and that steps are being taken in coordination with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to facilitate their arrival in the country as soon as possible.

In addition, he revealed that Sri Lanka is maintaining a reserve of aviation fuel sufficient for 50 days.