March 03, Colombo (LNW): Sri Lanka’s Minister of Ports and Civil Aviation, Anura Karunatilake, has confirmed that authorities are actively working to restore wider flight operations by making use of air corridors that remain partially accessible amid ongoing regional restrictions.
Speaking in a recent television interview, the Minister explained that only a handful of airspaces in the Middle East are presently available on a limited basis, notably routes passing through Oman and Saudi Arabia. Meanwhile, key aviation zones over Iran and the Gulf hubs of Sharjah, Abu Dhabi and Dubai remain entirely closed, significantly affecting established flight paths.
In response, aviation officials are engaged in discussions with international counterparts to maximise the use of the restricted but open corridors. Particular attention is being given to maintaining vital transit links for long-haul services to the United States and Europe, where rerouting options are being carefully assessed to minimise disruption for passengers and cargo operators alike.
Minister Karunatilake indicated that negotiations are progressing steadily and expressed cautious optimism that broader access arrangements could be finalised in the coming days. He added that ensuring passenger safety and operational efficiency remains the government’s foremost priority during these adjustments.
Encouragingly, direct services between Sri Lanka and England have already recommenced, offering some relief to travellers and signalling gradual recovery in selected sectors despite the broader regional constraints.
