The Ministry of Ports and Civil Aviation has denied claims that the resignation of Harsha Abeywickrama as Chairman of Airport and Aviation Services Sri Lanka (Private) Ltd. (AASL) is connected to a letter involving Venerable Banagala Upathissa Thera.

In a statement, the ministry clarified that misinformation was being circulated regarding a request by Upathissa Thera, Chairperson of the Sri Lanka Mahabodhi Society, for the extension of a special airport entry permit. The request, submitted on a Mahabodhi Society official letterhead on Dec. 29, 2025, sought an extension of a permit that expired on Dec. 31, 2025.

The letter had been forwarded to then-AASL Chairman Abeywickrama with a recommendation by the Minister to consider the request based on Upathissa Thera’s contributions to the international Buddhist community.

In response, Abeywickrama had issued a conditional approval letter on Jan. 9, 2026, subject to instructions by the Minister to take note of previous experiences in granting special permissions.

The ministry stressed that there was no disagreement between the minister and Abeywickrama over the issuance of the permit.

Abeywickrama resigned following a meeting with the minister on Jan. 21, 2026, during which upcoming structural changes within the organization were discussed, the ministry said.

The ministry stressed that his resignation was unrelated to the permit request and formed part of broader management restructuring plans. (Newswire)

The post No link between AASL Chief’s exit and Upathissa Thera’s request: Ministry appeared first on Newswire.

Automated e‑gates have been introduced at the Bandaranaike International Airport in Katunayake, providing Sri Lankan passengers with quicker and more secure immigration clearance. 

The Airport & Aviation Services Sri Lanka Private Limited (AASL) said the new system is designed to deliver a seamless arrival experience, reducing waiting times while enhancing safety standards at the country’s main gateway. 

The AASL has requested passengers to make use of the e-gates located at the arrival terminal for this purpose. (Newswire)

The post E-gates introduced at BIA to speed up immigration clearance appeared first on Newswire.

Airport and Aviation Services (Sri Lanka) Ltd. employee trade unions staged a protest today (29 Dec), demanding that the company provide an allowance equivalent to five months’ basic salary as the 2025 bonus, as previously announced by Chairman, Retired Air Vice Marshal Harsha Abeywickrama.

About 50 employees representing the Airport Sri Lanka Freedom Workers’ Union, the People’s Workers’ Union, the Progressive Workers’ Union, the National Workers’ Union, and the SriLankan Airlines Freedom Workers’ Union took part in the protest.

During the protest, the President of the Sri Lanka Freedom Workers’ Union, Muhandiram, revealed that so far only an allowance equivalent to two months’ basic salary has been given as the 2025 bonus, despite the company recording an annual net profit of Rs. 21 billion.

Accordingly, the unions urged that at least an additional allowance equivalent to two months’ basic salary be granted in response to their demand. (Newswire)

The post No bonus : Group of Airport workers protest appeared first on Newswire.

The Airport and Aviation Services (Sri Lanka) Private Limited (AASL) says several airport access roads have been affected by flooding due to the prevailing adverse weather conditions across the country.

Issuing a statement, AASL said passengers are advised to use the Colombo – Katunayake Expressway to ensure a smoother and safer journey to Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA). 

Additionally, to help reduce congestion within the airport premises during this period, passengers are requested not to bring visitors to the terminal, it added. (Newswire)

The post Travel Advisory : Important notice for BIA passengers appeared first on Newswire.

The Airport and Aviation Services (Sri Lanka) Private Limited (AASL) has advised all passengers to stay updated on their flight schedules and follow official guidance, due to the prevailing adverse weather conditions across Sri Lanka. 

Issuing a statement, AASL said passengers are advised to check the latest flight status via the following methods;

• Official website www.airport.lk. 
• Arrival Flight Status: www.airport.lk/flight_info/arrival 
• Departure Flight Status: www.airport.lk/flight_info/departure 

SriLankan Airlines passengers have been requested to call 1979 (within Sri Lanka) or +94117771979 (international) to check Sri Lankan Airlines flight status.

“We urge the public to remain calm and informed, as we maintain continuous, round-the-clock coordination with all partners to ensure safe operation continuity,” AASL added. (Newswire)

The post AASL urges passengers to check flight status amid adverse weather appeared first on Newswire.

The Airport and Aviation Services (Sri Lanka) Private Limited (AASL) has assured the public that it is taking all necessary, proactive steps to manage and mitigate the impact of the severe storm conditions, including Cyclone Ditwah, on operations at Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA).

The AASL said since 22:55 hrs yesterday (27), a total of 15 inbound aircraft have been safely diverted to alternative international airports, including Mattala (MRIA), Trivandrum, and Cochin, due to unsafe landing conditions at BIA.

Issuing a statement, the AASL said that it has also registered 16 flight delays at BIA.

The AASL further said that Mattala Rajapaksa International Airport (MRIA) is being kept on a state of high alert and is fully prepared to accommodate any further diversions, having already handled up to six diverted flights. 

The AASL added that one scheduled flight from Jaffna International Airport has been cancelled in consideration of prevailing weather risks.

“We strongly urge all individuals scheduled to travel to or BIA today and tomorrow to contact their respective airlines immediately for the most current and specific flight status information before traveling to the airport,” it added. (Newswire)

The post Cyclone Ditwah disrupts BIA operations : 15 flights diverted appeared first on Newswire.

The Airport and Aviation Services (Sri Lanka) (Private) Limited (AASL) has reported a 14.08% increase in international passenger movements and a 15.35% increase in international aircraft movements from January to September 2025. 

According to an AASL statement, the Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA), the Mattala Rajapaksa International Airport (MRIA), and the Jaffna International Airport (JIA) welcomed a total of 7,559,699 passengers during this period, with arrivals and departures nearly evenly split, 49.15% arrivals and 50.85% departures. 

Transit traffic remained strong, with 680,821 passengers passing through, reinforcing its strategic role in regional and long-haul connectivity. 

Of the total arrivals, 1,706,308 were tourists arriving by air, accounting for 45.92% of all arrivals. Meanwhile, local arrivals made up 54.08%, indicating a healthy blend of domestic engagement and international tourism. 

The AASL said these figures affirm the industry’s steady momentum and the final quarter is expected to see a continued boost in passenger volumes and flight operations, supported by the introduction of new airline schedules and expanded route offerings. (Newswire)

The post Sri Lanka’s skies get busier! Passenger traffic up 14% this year appeared first on Newswire.

The Presidential Special Investigation Committee, established to probe past fraud, corruption and malpractices at the Airport and Aviation Services (Sri Lanka) (Private) Limited (AASL) and SriLankan Airlines, has invited members of the public to submit complaints, observations, and recommendations for consideration regarding the two institutions. 

Per Cabinet Decision No. 25/1145/801/018 dated July 1, 2025, based on the Cabinet Memorandum submitted by President Anura Kumara Dissanayake on June 30, 2025, the Presidential Special Investigation Committee was established to inquire into past incidents of fraud, corruption and irregularities at the AASL and SriLankan Airlines.

Accordingly, the Presidential Special Investigation Committee seeks submissions from employees, staff members and the general public concerning issues related to both institutions. 

Interested individuals and organizations are requested to forward their complaints, views or proposals on or before the 05th of September 2025.

The submission could be made either via email to psicairport@gmail.com or by WhatsApp to 070-3307700. Appointments for discussions will then be scheduled with the Committee. (Newswire)

The post Irregularities in Airport & SriLankan : Public, staff support requested appeared first on Newswire.

Airport and Aviation Services (Sri Lanka) has announced that entry to the Departure Lobby at Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) will be restricted for visitors during peak hours.

Accordingly, from Thursdays to Saturdays, visitors will not be permitted into the Departure Lobby from 10.00 p.m. to midnight.

The measure has been introduced with immediate effect to ease congestion and ensure smoother operations for passengers and airport users.

Authorities have requested the public’s understanding and cooperation. (Newswire)

The post Important Notice to Passengers & Visitors at Bandaranaike International Airport appeared first on Newswire.

The Airport & Aviation Services Sri Lanka Private Ltd (AASL) has issued a warning against flying kites in close proximity to international airports in the country. 

Issuing a special notice, the AASL warned that flying kites or any airborne objects over a height of 300 feet, within a radius of 5 km from any international airport, is strictly prohibited.

The AASL further said that flying kites in such close proximity to international airports is considered a punishable offence.

The warning has been issued highlighting the hindrance to flight operations and the threat to flights and passengers. (Newswire)

The post No kite-flying near airports : AASL appeared first on Newswire.

Cabinet approval has been granted for the establishment of a Special Presidential Investigation Committee to investigate fraud, corruption, and irregularities that occurred in the past within SriLankan Airlines Limited and the Airport and Aviation (Sri Lanka) (Private) Limited. 

The Special Presidential Investigation Committee, headed by former Auditor General, Gamini Wijesinghe, is tasked with submitting a detailed report with recommendations on alleged fraud, corruption, and irregularities that occurred from 2010 – 2025.

The proposal to appoint the Special Presidential Investigation Committee for this purpose had been presented by President Anura Kumara Dissanayake. 

The government says that although a contribution to the economic improvement of the country is rendered by SriLankan Airlines Limited, a greater cost has to be borne by the government for its maintenance, adding that the annual loss to the company has been unbearable to the country’s economy. 

The public expects to successfully maintain this company by converting it to an economically advantageous, efficient and productive state entity utilizing novel technology, it said. 

The government points out that in order to realize this objective, a thorough formal study and evaluation of the transactions and incidents should be carried out to unearth the causes that led the Sri Lankan Aviation Company towards the current situation. 

The government further stated that attention has also been drawn by various parties regarding the requirement to investigate the activities of the Airport and Aviation (Sri Lanka) (Private) Limited, which is responsible for airport monitoring. 

As such, the proposal to appoint a Special Presidential Investigation Committee for these purposes has received a Cabinet nod. (Newswire)

The post Presidential Investigation Committee to probe corruption at SriLankan and AASL appeared first on Newswire.

The “Kunming-Colombo” international cargo route was officially launched today with the arrival of SF Airlines’ B757-200 freighter, marking a significant milestone in Sri Lanka–China air cargo connectivity, the Airport & Aviation Services Sri Lanka Private Ltd (AASL) said.

The inaugural flight from Kunming to Colombo was welcomed with a celebratory water cannon salute organized by AASL upon its arrival at Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA).

The inaugural flight from Kunming to Colombo strengthens trade ties by establishing a direct, efficient air logistics corridor between these key economic hubs, known as the “Crossroads of the East”.

Colombo’s strategic location connects South Asia, Southeast Asia, and the Indian Ocean shipping lanes, enhancing regional economic integration.

AASL further said it looks forward to strengthening the relationship with SF Airlines, contributing to the development of the air cargo industry in Sri Lanka. 

Meanwhile, SF Airlines said this is China’s first scheduled all-cargo direct flight to Sri Lanka and a new milestone in SF Airlines’ expansion into the South Asian market. 

The airline further said that it will enhance SF International’s competitiveness in Asia while providing robust logistics support for China-Sri Lanka trade, regional economic growth, and the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). 

“The ‘Kunming-Colombo’ route will operate twice weekly, operated by B757-200F freighters, with a weekly cargo capacity exceeding 110 metric tons. Primary exports include electronics, machinery parts, textiles, cross-border e-commerce parcels, and fresh flowers. Key imports feature Sri Lankan Ceylon tea, spices, and other speciality agricultural products, along with Indian electronics and Maldivian seafood transshipped via Colombo,” the airline said in a statement. (Newswire)

The post Kunming-Colombo cargo route officially launched with arrival of SF Airlines appeared first on Newswire.

The Airport and Aviation Services (Sri Lanka) (Private) Limited (AASL) has convened a strategic meeting with the Board of Airline Representatives (BAR) as part of its continued effort to enhance passenger service levels and foster a culture of collaboration.

According to the AASL, the meeting, attended by its chairman and senior management team, also saw the participation of the country managers of leading airlines operating in Sri Lanka. During the discussion, airline country managers shared their network growth plans, outlining anticipated growth in passenger and cargo volumes.

Further, AASL presented ongoing and upcoming infrastructure development initiatives, with particular emphasis on the Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) Terminal 2 Project. A representative from the Japanese Airport Consultants delivered a comprehensive update on the project’s progress and elaborated on the enhanced operational capacities and passenger facilitation improvements expected upon its completion.

The AASL states that the primary objective of the meeting was to strengthen the partnership between the airport operator and its valued airline stakeholders, ensuring that infrastructure planning, resource optimization, and service innovation are aligned with airline needs and global aviation trends. Ultimately, achieving the shared vision: delivering a seamless, passenger-centric airport experience.

“The meeting with the Chairman and the top management of Airport and Aviation Service Sri Lanka Limited was very successful, as we were able to discuss the current development at BIA and explore the collaborative efforts with all members of the association towards the development of aviation development in the country. All the airline country managers will convey the progress of these developments to their respective headquarters. At the meeting, we were updated on the BIA Terminal 2 development project by the Japanese Airport Consultants,” said the Chairman of the Board of Airline Representatives Sri Lanka, Dimuthu Tennakoon. (Newswire)

The post AASL Strengthens Collaborative Engagement with Airline Partners appeared first on Newswire.

The Parliamentary Committee on Public Enterprises (COPE) has been informed that the Airports and Aviation Services (Sri Lanka) (Private) Limited (AASL) has paid Rs. 37 billion to Taisei Corporation for the Passenger Terminal Building & Associated Works construction contract, Package A, for an actual progress of about 5.44%, compared to the expected physical progress of 30%.

According to a Parliament statement, the matter was revealed when the COPE Committee met in Parliament recently under the chairmanship of MP Nishantha Samaraweera to examine the current performance of the AASL.

During the meeting, officials said that due to the circular issued by the Ministry of Finance on 12 April 2022 titled “Interim Policy on Servicing of Sri Lanka’s External Public Debt”, the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) had suspended the release of loan instalments for the project.

They revealed that as a result, the contractor had stopped construction work on 09 December 2022 and had to make a payment of Rs. 37 billion, including the loss incurred as a result.

The Committee questioned how reasonable it was to pay such a large amount to Taisei Company for an actual progress of about 5.44%, even after two years of the contract period had elapsed in a project for a period of 3 years. 

Furthermore, the COPE Committee discussed at length the award of contracts to a company other than the Taisei Company to minimise damage to the construction after the construction work was stopped, and the additional cost of Rs. 1,328.7 million that was incurred for those contracts.

It was revealed that after the construction work of the said project was halted, the materials and equipment, purchased for a value of Rs. 1,550 million by the contractor for the project, were taken over by AASL and were stored in private warehouses under the contract with the local subcontractors of the project.

In this regard, the Chairman of AASL had appointed nine committees, and according to the evaluation and recommendations of the said committees, it was informed that Rs. 392,904 could be saved monthly by moving their incinerator to another warehouse. 

The Committee also drew attention to the fact that the company had to incur additional storage costs of Rs. 3.9 million from March 2023 to December 2024 due to the non-implementation of those recommendations. (Newswire)

The post COPE questions AASL’s Rs. 37 Bn payment appeared first on Newswire.

In a significant milestone for Sri Lanka, the country’s airports, including the main gateway, Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA), Jaffna International Airport (JIA), and Mattala Rajapaksa International Airport (MRIA), have recorded an increase in passenger arrival and departure movements in 2024, surpassing the 8.8 million mark. 

According to the Airport and Aviation Services Sri Lanka Limited (AASL), this achievement highlights the vital role that Sri Lanka’s aviation infrastructure plays in connecting the region and facilitating travel, trade, and commerce.

The healthy increase in passenger traffic is attributed to several factors, including the expansion of airline services and strategic initiatives aimed at boosting tourism. The improved connectivity has not only benefited travellers but also contributed significantly to the nation’s economy by increasing tourists.

The AASL reports BIA served more than 30 airlines in 2024, including major international carriers such as Emirates, Qatar Airways, Singapore Airlines, Etihad Airways, Air India, IndiGo, Turkish Airlines, etc in addition, to the national carrier, Sri Lankan Airlines.  According to Skytrax’s rankings, six of Skytrax’s World’s Top 10 airlines in 2024 operated flights to Sri Lanka: Qatar Airways, Singapore Airlines, Emirates, Cathay Pacific Airways, Turkish Airlines, and Swiss International Air Lines (Source: World’s Top 100 Airlines 2024 | SKYTRAX ).

It was observed that several airlines such as Etihad Airways, Qatar Airways, IndiGo, Turkish Airlines, Air China, etc. increased their frequencies to Sri Lanka. In addition, Thai Airways, Chongqing Airlines, Aeroflot, Cathay Pacific Airways etc. resumed scheduled passenger flights to Colombo in 2024 while several seasonal charter airlines such as Enter Air, Edelweiss, Azur Air, Sky-up, Air Astana, etc. resumed seasonal charter flight operations to Sri Lanka bringing more tourists to the country. Further, Jetstar Asia commenced scheduled flights from Singapore in November 2024. Red-Wings Airline resumed flight operations to Mattala in October 2024. Centrum Air, an Uzbekistan-based carrier, and Sky Up commenced seasonal flight operations at MRIA in December 2024. IndiGo commenced international scheduled flight operations to Jaffna on the 01st of September 2024.  

The AASL further states it has been diligently working with the airline partners and other stakeholders to provide top-notch services and maintain high standards of safety & efficiency to ensure a seamless travel experience for millions of passengers.

“Sri Lanka continues to position itself as a key aviation hub in the Asia-Pacific region. These milestones showcase the immense potential for future growth and development in the country’s aviation industry. Achieving over 8 million passenger movements is a testament to the strength and resilience of Sri Lanka’s aviation sector and serves as a promising indicator of continued progress toward achieving the government’s tourism targets. We are delighted by the contributions of our valued international airline partners, tourism partners, and all other stakeholders to Sri Lanka’s aviation and tourism landscape. We extend our heartfelt gratitude to them for their exceptional support. AASL remains firmly committed to developing aviation infrastructure to meet the future growth potential of the industry. We have already called for tenders for the reconstruction of Terminal 2 and plan to commence its construction in September 2025, with completion targeted by March 2028,” AASL Chairman Air Chief Marshal (Retd.) Harsha Abeywickrema said. (Newswire)

The post How many passengers used Sri Lankan Airports in 2024? Numbers released appeared first on Newswire.

A new CTB Luxury Bus Service has been launched between the Katunayake Airport (BIA) and the Makumbura Multimodal Center in Kottawa.

Passengers can board the bus which will be parked on the main road adjacent to the Katunayake Police Station.

According to the Airport and Aviation Services (Sri Lanka) Ltd (AASL), the bus service has been launched for the convenience of passengers seeking transport facilities to and from the airport. (Newswire)

The post New luxury bus service between BIA and Kottawa appeared first on Newswire.

Russian charter airline, Azur Air, has resumed seasonal flight operations to Sri Lanka for the 2024/2025 winter season. 

According to the Airport and Aviation Services (Sri Lanka) (Private) Limited (AASL), the first flight arrived at the Katunayake Airport today with 332 passengers. 

The flight was welcomed by a celebratory water cannon salute upon arrival at the Katunayake Airport by the AASL and the passengers were warmly welcomed with a traditional Kandyan dance performance organized by Sri Lanka Tourism.

This season, Azur Air will be operating B767-300 with full seating capacity. The Airline will also be operating 05 flights per week from 5 cities in Russia.  

The AASL said it is expecting around 40,000 Russian tourists in Sri Lanka during the upcoming holiday season. (Newswire)

The post Russia’s Azur Air resumes seasonal flight operations to Sri Lanka appeared first on Newswire.

The Airport and Aviation Services (Sri Lanka) (Private) Limited (AASL) has assured the safety and security of all passengers and crew at Sri Lanka Airports, in the backdrop of recent bomb scares on some Indian flights. 

In light of recent incidents regarding the bomb scare on Vistara flights on 19 and 24 October at the Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) in Katunayake, the AASL said it reiterates its commitment to maintaining the highest standards of safety and security for all passengers and crew. 

“As Sri Lanka’s civil airport operator, we prioritize the safety and security of our valued passengers and airport users in close coordination with all relevant safety and security authorities. We operate in full compliance with the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) and the Civil Aviation Authority of Sri Lanka (CAASL), adhering strictly to internationally recognized protocols to manage and respond to such situations effectively. Passengers and airport users can rest assured that their safety remains our utmost priority,” AASL Chairman, Air Chief Marshal (Rtd) Harsha Abeywickrema said.  

The AASL further said its management, together with the other service providers, is taking all necessary steps to experience a happy journey for its valued passengers at its airports. 

“We sincerely regret any inconvenience experienced by our guests due to these circumstances and thank them for their understanding and cooperation,” an AASL statement said. (Newswire)

The post Flight bomb scares : AASL assures safety at SL airports appeared first on Newswire.

Construction on the proposed second terminal for the Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) is expected to resume soon, with the necessary loan facility expected to be provided by next month.

Chairman of Airport and Aviation Services (Sri Lanka) Ltd. (AASL), Eng. Athula Galketiya said negotiations with the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) are underway, and they are expected to provide the necessary loan facility by next month as promised. 

“We plan to issue tenders by mid-September, begin construction by mid-next year, and complete it by the end of 2028, aiming to accommodate about 9 million more passengers,” he noted. 

Eng. Athula Galketiya further said by July 2024, there will be 4.3 million international passenger movements, and they anticipate that this number will reach around 9 million by the end of the next six months, reflecting a 26.10% growth compared to July 2023.

He also noted that international air traffic increased by 24.50% by June 2024 compared to June 2023, while air cargo movement rose by 28.96% in the same period. 

“Our terminal handled approximately 10.8 million air passengers in 2018, but there are challenges in providing adequate facilities. Therefore, many short-term and long-term measures are currently being implemented to improve facilities for 8 to 9 million passengers,” he said. 

Eng. Athula Galketiya revealed that the tender aims to improve the departure area of the first external terminal, with the award likely happening next month. 

He further said that additionally, 30 more counters will be added to the departure area of the new building, along with the construction of four e-gates each for arrivals and departures, streamlining the immigration and emigration processes. (Newswire)

The post JICA expected to release funds for BIA terminal project by August appeared first on Newswire.

Chongqing Airlines, an airline based in Chongqing, China, resumed direct nonstop flights from Chongqing to Colombo on Monday (June 24). 

According to the Airport and Aviation Services (Sri Lanka) (Pvt) Limited (AASL), the inaugural flight from Chongqing to Colombo, OQ2393, arrived at 14:50 hrs with 78 passengers and was welcomed with a celebratory water cannon salute upon arrival at BIA. 

Passengers were also warmly welcomed by a traditional Kandyan dance performance sponsored by the Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau and presented with tea gift packs sponsored by the Sri Lanka Tea Board. 

The AASL states there will be three weekly flights between Chongqing and Colombo. Acorn Aviation (Private) Limited is the General Sales Agent (GSA) for Chongqing Airlines in Sri Lanka.

The recommencement of Chongqing Airlines operations in Sri Lanka will help boost tourist arrivals to Sri Lanka and strengthen economic cooperation in trade, investment, finance, education, and culture between China and Sri Lanka. (Newswire)

The post China’s Chongqing Airlines resumes operations to Colombo appeared first on Newswire.