Flight delays, cancellations reported at BIA

By T.K.G. Kapila

The officer in charge at the Bandaranaike Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) said yesterday evening (28) that a significant number of flights arriving and departing from the airport have been delayed or cancelled.

The disruptions are largely due to several aircraft that were diverted earlier remaining parked at other airports, including Mattala Rajapaksa International Airport (MRIA), as well as Trivandrum and Cochin airports in India. These aircraft have yet to return to BIA, causing a ripple effect on scheduled operations.

According to the airport official, three SriLankan Airlines flights and one FlyDubai aircraft are still parked at Mattala. Arrangements have been made to send the passengers who arrived on these flights to their homes. Additionally, four more aircraft currently remain grounded at Trivandrum and Cochin after being unable to land in Katunayake due to weather conditions.

As a result, multiple inbound flights are facing delays and cancellations. Despite the prevailing rainy conditions around the airport, some aircraft continue to successfully land and take off, the official added.