Sri Lanka Aviation

**WizzWaveSien** · 14-03-2026, 03:00 PM

Hi guys, some updates.

Qatar Airways has been operating flights from LHR, CDG and FRA to CMB and vice versa. QR are operating these flights as alot of tourists have booked connections at DOH, since DOH isn't fully reopened yet, they have been chartering these flights.

QR7465 (FRA - CMB)
QR7393 (CDG - CMB)
QR7419 (LHR - CMB).

Arkia Airlines deployed an A332 from LCA to CMB to bring back pax stuck in CMB due to flight cancellations today.

Iberojet will be deploying a A359 to CMB from MAD to assist stuck pax at both CMB and MLE (EC-NGY is aircraft registration, due to arrive tomorrow morning at 9:10 AM).
EuroAtlantic Airways (A portuguese charter airline), will be deploying it's B763 to assist pax from LIS, (CS-TST is aircraft registration, due to arrive tomorrow at 11:05 AM).

WK to operate special flight from ZRH-CMB-MLE on March 18th (WK2065)
QR to also operate an additional flight from MCT-CMB on March 16th (QR658)
Thank you!

**n863gt** · 14-03-2026, 04:11 PM

Originally posted by suganya07

Belavia flights to Mattala are scheduled for 3 and 14 April. Earlier, flights to Mattala had been planned to end on 24 March.

A332 or B38M?

**banuthev** · 14-03-2026, 05:52 PM

Is this a new airline, Jaffna Airways? set to launch CMB-JAF ops from next month?

**VC10fan** · 15-03-2026, 10:40 AM

Originally posted by banuthev

Is this a new airline, Jaffna Airways? set to launch CMB-JAF ops from next month?

Just found they have a website, https://www.jaffnaairways.com/
Ticket offices in Colombo and Jaffna, as well as Ontario and London.

Wonder if this is the one that Peter Hill has been working on.

Update: seems that Jaffna Airways acts as a booking service and all flights are operated by DP Aviation.

**WizzWaveSien** · 15-03-2026, 11:06 AM

Originally posted by banuthev

Is this a new airline, Jaffna Airways? set to launch CMB-JAF ops from next month?

Looked into it, as far as I am aware,
Jaffna Airways Limited acts solely as a flight booking service agent for licensed domestic airlines operating within Sri Lanka and as a booking intermediary for road transport (van hire) services.
AND
Jaffna Airways Limited does not own, operate, or control any aircraft or road vehicles. All flight and road transport operations are carried out entirely by their respective licensed service providers.
All flight operations are carried out by David Peiris Aviation (Pvt) Ltd.
(according to their TOS)

Unfortunately not a Domestic airline according to their TOS. seems like a booking agent, does anyone else have more info?

**Serendib** · 17-03-2026, 03:30 AM

4R-ALT is back in service from 14 Mar but 4R-ALL is out of service from 15 Mar

**Serendib** · 17-03-2026, 03:30 AM

British Airways to launch new route to Colombo.. Launching on 23 October 2026, British Airways will fly three times per week from London Gatwick to Colombo, the vibrant gateway to Sri Lanka.

**WizzWaveSien** · 17-03-2026, 03:46 AM

TUI airways will be deploying 787-9 (G-TUIN) from LGW to CMB to assist PAX stuck at Sri Lanka and the Maldives.
Due to arrive at 10:45 AM today.

**banuthev** · 17-03-2026, 04:02 AM

Originally posted by Serendib

British Airways to launch new route to Colombo.. Launching on 23 October 2026, British Airways will fly three times per week from London Gatwick to Colombo, the vibrant gateway to Sri Lanka.

Good news! BA will fly nonstop to/ from CMB !

Thinking which aircraft to be used ? and Wonder why its not from London Heathrow ?

**MAW2000** · 17-03-2026, 05:45 AM

Originally posted by banuthev

Is this a new airline, Jaffna Airways? set to launch CMB-JAF ops from next month?

There is no such AOC for Such named airline/operator as far as I aware.

**MAW2000** · 17-03-2026, 05:46 AM

Originally posted by banuthev

Good news! BA will fly nonstop to/ from CMB !

Thinking which aircraft to be used ? and Wonder why its not from London Heathrow ?

Probably B787-9

**banuthev** · 17-03-2026, 07:21 AM

Originally posted by Serendib

British Airways to launch new route to Colombo.. Launching on 23 October 2026, British Airways will fly three times per week from London Gatwick to Colombo, the vibrant gateway to Sri Lanka.

Nice to see the CMB schedule from the BA website.

CMB arrival at 12pm and departure at 14pm would've easily connected with UL's MEL flights. and BA better flying daily flights to CMB. What's your thoughts?

British Airways announces major winter 2026 expansion

https://mediacentre.britishairways.com/news/16032026/british-airways-announces-major-winter-2026-expansion

-

Colombo, Sri Lanka

British Airways Holidays offers seven nights, at the 5* Cinnamon Lakeside Colombo, from £999pp, travelling on selected dates between 1 November - 30 November 2026 inclusive. Includes economy (World Traveller) return flights from London Gatwick Airport, one checked bag at 23kg per person and accommodation with breakfast. Book by 29 March 2026. For reservations visit www.ba.com/holidays.

Route	Flight number	Frequency	Departure	Arrival (local)
LGW-CMB	BA2045	Mon/Wed/Fri From 23 Oct 26	17:30	09:00+1
CMB-LGW	BA2044	Mon/Wed/Fri From 24 Oct 26	11:00	17:00

**WizzWaveSien** · 17-03-2026, 11:10 AM

Originally posted by MAW2000

Probably B787-9

77W or 777-200 actually!

**CalgaryLankan** · 18-03-2026, 06:27 PM

Originally posted by WizzWaveSien

77W or 777-200 actually!

Looks like its 777-200ER as per few sources. BA reservation website is showing BOEING 777-200/300

**banuthev** · 19-03-2026, 06:18 AM

Originally posted by CalgaryLankan

Looks like its 777-200ER as per few sources. BA reservation website is showing BOEING 777-200/300

As far as I am aware, dash 300s are not available at LGW. Please correct me if i am wrong.

Sri Lanka Aviation

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