A total of 57 flights between Bandaranaike International Airport and Middle Eastern destinations were cancelled today (03) due to the escalating regional situation.

Airport authorities confirmed that 28 departures and 29 arrivals were affected. Four additional flights scheduled for tomorrow (04) have also been cancelled.

Director General of the Civil Aviation Authority of Sri Lanka, Captain Daminda Rambukwella, stated that flights to and from the Middle East, including transit operations, have been temporarily suspended in the interest of passenger safety.

He noted that only a limited number of flights were able to pass through the affected airspace earlier today.