Escalating tensions in the Middle East are forcing airlines to cancel hundreds of flights, extend passenger visas, and reroute aircraft around restricted airspace, driving up fuel costs and even forcing limits on air cargo carried from Sri Lanka.
The continuing military tensions across the Middle East are beginning to ripple through Sri Lanka’s civil aviation sector, forcing airlines and regulators to rethink flight operations. According to Minister of Ports and Civil Aviation Anura Karunathilaka, airlines together with the Civil Aviation Authority have decided to extend flight cancellations to several destinations in the region as the security situation remains unstable.
Speaking at a special press briefing at the Ministry, the minister explained that aviation disruptions have already affected a significant number of scheduled flights. As of the morning of the 3rd, a total of 205 flights had been cancelled. Of these, 107 flights were scheduled arrivals while 98 were departures from Sri Lanka. The cancellations reflect the wider uncertainty affecting air travel routes across the Middle East.
Although some countries in the region such as Oman and Saudi Arabia have partially reopened their airspace, airlines are still unable to fully resume normal operations. Certain carriers have begun exploring limited flight movements through these corridors, but overall aviation activity remains restricted.
The minister also noted that key aviation hubs including Abu Dhabi, Sharjah and Dubai have reopened their airspace only for short and limited operational windows. Under these conditions, only special aircraft operations are permitted while regular commercial air services remain largely suspended.
To ease the difficulties faced by stranded passengers, Sri Lankan authorities have introduced temporary visa relief measures. Following discussions involving aviation authorities, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Department of Immigration and Emigration, officials decided to extend visa validity for affected passengers by two weeks. Authorities are also prepared to further extend visa facilities for travelers who must remain in Sri Lanka until their flights become available.
Airlines have also requested assistance from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Sri Lankan diplomatic missions abroad to help facilitate the repatriation of passengers who remain stranded in other countries while trying to reach Sri Lanka.
Currently, several airlines transporting passengers from countries such as the United Kingdom and Germany are rerouting flights through alternative pathways that bypass restricted Middle Eastern airspace. Authorities are working to ensure that these travelers can continue their journeys through special arrangements when required.
Due to these disruptions, some passengers have had to reschedule or cancel their tickets. Airlines have agreed to provide full refunds without penalties and allow ticket changes without additional charges.
Meanwhile, authorities confirmed that Sri Lanka currently has sufficient jet fuel supplies for approximately fifty days.
Flights between Sri Lanka and major European cities including London, Frankfurt and Paris have resumed via alternative routes. However, these detours add nearly an extra hour to flight durations and increase fuel consumption, forcing airlines to limit air cargo loads.
Officials say Sri Lanka will continue operating flights through Bandaranaike International Airport and Mattala Airport while relying on alternative routes until regional tensions ease.
