Sri Lanka Aviation

Is 4RALN AOG in ICN?

Winter 2025 Flights Updates

Thai AirAsia is going to increase DMK-CMB flights from 7 weekly to 10 weekly from 3-Dec-2025.

Jazeera Airways is going to increase KWI-CMB flights from 7 weekly to 10 weekly from end of Oct25 to Dec25. I really wonder why Jazeera couldnt continue 10 weekly after Dec25. Is it due slot availability at CMB?

Enter Air is planning to connect CMB with Warsaw, Katowice, Pozan, Gdansk from end Oct25 to Mar26.

Turkish Airlines is planning to use A350-900 for 2 weekly on IST-CMB flights and rest of the 8 weekly flights will be operated by A330-300s during Winter 2025 season.

Indigo reduced TRZ-JAF flights from 7 weekly to 3 weekly. MAA-JAF flights are operating 7 weekly.

Qantas to operate one off charter to CMB in Feb26.

Does anyone know if any other flights or airlines going to operate CMB and HRI ?

Any chance to see Air France, LOT this winter?

ALQ is getting a new painting job.

Bad news! Very sad most of the slot requests are being rejected ! Is the limited capacity due to shortage of check in counters?




I agree ! I wonder why CMB is not allowing newly applied foreign airlines to operate during off-peak times?
....

Strong Airline Demand for 40 New Colombo Slots Puts BIA Capacity Under Pressure - Deputy Minister of Tourism Bandaranaike International Airport’s Limited Capacity Challenges Tourist Arrival Targets! Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) is currently operating beyond its designed capacity due to strong airline demand with approximately 40 new slot requests per week for the upcoming winter season, most of which have already been rejected due to limited capacity. Speaking at the International Tourism Leaders Summit 2025, held on 2nd October 2025 at BMICH under the patronage of President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, Prof. Ruwan Ranasinghe, Deputy Minister of Tourism, highlighted that both scheduled and charter operations are contributing to this surge in demand. “Some airlines have considered Mattala Airport as an alternate option, though many have not,” the Minister noted. He further stated that BIA was originally designed to handle 6 million passengers per annum, but now accommodates over 10 million annually. “It is essential to proceed with the long-overdue expansion. I personally believe BIA should have had two runways by now, after six decades of operations,” he added. Prof. Ranasinghe emphasized that addressing these infrastructure and capacity challenges remains a top priority, noting that the tourism sector is also facing direct challenges in achieving its tourist arrival targets due to the current airport limitations. Edited

There are times during the day when it is very busy and other times with very few flights (eg early morning, mid afternoon) If newcomes are guided to those off peak times then the airport can handle more, with minimal pressure.

Strong Airline Demand for 40 New Colombo Slots Puts BIA Capacity Under Pressure - Deputy Minister of Tourism

Bandaranaike International Airport’s Limited Capacity Challenges Tourist Arrival Targets!

Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) is currently operating beyond its designed capacity due to strong airline demand with approximately 40 new slot requests per week for the upcoming winter season, most of which have already been rejected due to limited capacity.

Speaking at the International Tourism Leaders Summit 2025, held on 2nd October 2025 at BMICH under the patronage of President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, Prof. Ruwan Ranasinghe, Deputy Minister of Tourism, highlighted that both scheduled and charter operations are contributing to this surge in demand.

“Some airlines have considered Mattala Airport as an alternate option, though many have not,” the Minister noted.

He further stated that BIA was originally designed to handle 6 million passengers per annum, but now accommodates over 10 million annually. “It is essential to proceed with the long-overdue expansion. I personally believe BIA should have had two runways by now, after six decades of operations,” he added.

Prof. Ranasinghe emphasized that addressing these infrastructure and capacity challenges remains a top priority, noting that the tourism sector is also facing direct challenges in achieving its tourist arrival targets due to the current airport limitations.

Edited