National carrier takes new route via Afghanistan, Azerbaijan for European destinations

Middle Eastern airspace closure

Flight time increased, payload reduced 

Financial losses for the airline could be significant

Limited number of non-scheduled flights to Middle East cities

Tourist arrivals to Sri Lanka affected

By Kelum Bandara 

Following the closure of Middle Eastern airspace, SriLankan Airlines, the national carrier, has adopted an alternative route through Afghanistan and Azerbaijan for its European destinations, an official said. 

The airspace in the Middle East mostly remain closed due to the widening conflict that started with the US-Israeli attack on Iran. Iran has fired at US bases in the region, leading to the disruption of flight operations to and through the region. 

Captain Daminda Rambukwella, the Director General of Civil Aviation and Chief Executive Officer, told Daily Mirror that flight time to London, for example, had increased by one and a half hours because of the route change. He said the payload (the total weight of passengers, their baggage, and cargo carried by the aircraft that generates revenue) had to be reduced as a result. 

He said only a limited number of non-scheduled flights are operated to the cities in the Middle East as a result of airspace closures. Only seven flights were scheduled for yesterday. 

Asked about the financial loss for the airline, he said it could be huge, but the exact amount had not been assessed yet. 
Earlier, Deputy Minister of Tourism Prof. Ruwan Ranasinghe said that the airspace closure had impacted tourist arrivals.