British Airways returns to Sri Lanka after 10-year hiatus

Dhaka: British Airways has resumed flights to Sri Lanka after a decade, with its first aircraft landing at Bandaranaike International Airport in Katunayake on October 24.

A Boeing 777-200ER, operating as flight BA2045 from London Gatwick Airport, arrived in Colombo in the morning.

The carrier will operate three weekly flights between London Gatwick and Colombo, offering economy, premium economy, and business class seats on the route.

According to British Airways, the Colombo service will operate seasonally during the winter schedule.

Advantis Aviation Services, a subsidiary of Sri Lanka's Hayleys Group, will serve as the airline's general sales agent in the country.

The resumption is expected to boost Sri Lanka's tourism industry, as the UK remains one of the island nation's key tourist markets, local media reports said.

The new service is also expected to facilitate business travel and strengthen trade, tourism, and people-to-people ties between the two countries.