Mattala Airport field visit set for next week as Gulf carriers weigh alternative transit hubs

With a crucial field visit scheduled for next week, the Sri Lankan government is advancing discussions with major Gulf carriers to utilise Mattala Rajapaksa International Airport (MRIA) as an alternative transit hub amid escalating geopolitical tensions in the Middle East, Mirror Business learns.

Following a meeting held this week, Aviation Minister Bimal Rathnayake formally wrote to the airlines inviting them to inspect the southern facility, aiming to capitalise on the sudden shift in global aviation logistics.

Tourism and aviation officials confirmed that Emirates, Qatar Airways, and other Middle Eastern carriers have expressed strong interest in repositioning some of their operations.

Deputy Minister of Ports and Aviation Ruwan Kodithuwakku revealed a significant condition attached to these preliminary talks, noting that the airlines have requested permission to use the Mattala airport without paying landing fees.

The move comes as a massive surge in demand for alternative routes and repatriation flights overwhelms the severely constrained global aviation system. The sudden interest in Mattala is a direct fallout of the severe conflict that erupted in late February 2026, which has triggered one of the most significant disruptions to global air travel in recent history. The crisis has forced the full or partial closure of civilian airspace across Iran, Iraq, Israel, Qatar, and parts of the United Arab Emirates. Consequently, mega-hubs such as Dubai, Doha, and Abu Dhabi, which typically handle a massive portion of East-West transit traffic, have been forced to suspend or drastically reduce operations.

Aviation analyst Ben Schlappig recently weighed in on the proposal, stating the concept of positioning Mattala as an alternative hub for major Gulf carriers is “not a bad idea.” Writing on One Mile at a Time, Schlappig noted that the plan offers a creative solution for airlines facing severe operational uncertainty. “A large, nearly abandoned airport with good geography seems like a decent choice,” he highlighted, pointing to Sri Lanka’s location along key east-west aviation corridors. However, he cautioned that significant logistical and operational challenges remain, including the need to rapidly scale up ground handling, secure aviation fuel, and build supporting infrastructure.

Industry analysts point out that Mattala offers a highly strategic geographical advantage in this climate. Located in southeastern Sri Lanka, the airport sits directly along the primary Indian Ocean East-West aviation corridors. More importantly, it is positioned far south of the conflict-affected airspace over the Persian Gulf and Arabian Peninsula, offering a stable and secure alternative for airlines needing to connect Europe, Southeast Asia, and Australia. The facility boasts a 3,500-metre runway capable of accommodating the largest wide-body aircraft, which is a critical requirement for the massive fleets operated by Emirates and Qatar Airways.

 Furthermore, the airport has proven its growing operational readiness, recording its highest-ever passenger traffic in 2025 by handling 140,614 passengers and 703 international flights.

The capacity crunch is being felt heavily by the national carrier SriLankan Airlines, which is currently unable to fully bridge the gap left by the Middle Eastern operators. SriLankan Airlines has completely maximised the utilisation of its wide-body A330 aircraft to maintain vital direct links to Europe. The airline is currently stretching its wide-body fleet to the limit to operate continuous flights to London, Paris, and Frankfurt, alongside its Australian routes. Because extended operations to Europe cannot be serviced by smaller A320 aircraft, the national carrier has no remaining wide-body capacity to absorb the displaced transit passenger volumes.

In the broader regional context, the airspace closures have left Turkish Airlines and its base in Istanbul as the only remaining safe and fully operational transit hub, bridging Europe and Asia in that immediate region. Capitalising on this unique position, Deputy Minister Kodithuwakku added that Turkish Airlines has already increased its flight frequency to Katunayake to meet the growing demand. While Istanbul Airport remains open and the Turkish airspace is unrestricted, the massive rerouting of global flights has led to heavy congestion, making the activation of secondary hubs like Mattala an urgent necessity for the Gulf carriers looking to maintain network integrity. (NF)