flydubai Stops Sri Lanka Flights as Tensions Flare

Low-cost carrier Flydubai, styled as flydubai, has announced that it has suspended its Sri Lanka flights indefinitely due to immense tensions within the South Asian country generating frequent protests. 

Further details 

From 10 July, UAE carrier flydubai has suspended flights between Dubai and Colombo Airport, formally known as Bandaranaike International Airport, until further notice.

On flydubai’s website, you are only able to book a flight from Dubai to Colombo Airport from 1 September.

A spokesperson for the government-owned carrier offered further information on the decision, sharing that the airline will continue to monitor the situation in Sri Lanka and passengers who have booked to travel on the affected flights will be offered a refund. 

The carrier concluded by apologising for the inconvenience caused. 

Other UAE carriers that fly to Sri Lanka, such as Etihad Airways, have continued to operate their flights to Colombo as normal. However travellers are advised to double-check before making new bookings. 

What is happening in Sri Lanka? 

Thousands of Sri Lankans have been protesting against their government in recent days in an attempt to display their dissatisfaction with the government and its mismanagement of an economic crisis within the country. 

The island nation’s 22 million people have been suffering in recent months seemingly due to the government’s mishandling of the economic situation – food, medicine and fuel shortages, long blackouts and staggering inflation has forced the country into a dire state. 

The disruptive shortage in fuel has forced many airlines to refuel in airport hubs nearby before making their return journey.

Today, Sri Lankan President Gotabaya Rajapaksa has confirmed that he will resign on 13 July amid calls to do so. His announcement comes as tens of thousands of protesters stormed the official residences of the President and Prime Minister. Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe’s said in a letter that he too will resign. 

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