SINGAPORE: Singapore Airlines is the latest carrier to react to growing security fears in Sri Lanka.
The move by SIA to alter its schedules, following decisions by Emirates and Cathay Pacific to temporarily suspend flights to Colombo, is another huge blow to Sri Lanka’s battered tourism industry.
SIA made immediate changes to its schedules to Colombo following a security review.
The carrier has re-scheduled its nightly flights between Singapore and Colombo. A new daylight hours schedule started today and will continue until further notice and subject to ongoing review.
SIA will refund customers who cancel part of their journey as a result of this re-scheduling, without applying cancellation fees.
Cathay Pacific and Emirates have temporarily suspended flights to the Sri Lankan capital of Colombo following an air raid on fuel facilities in the city
Rebel Tamil Tiger jets bombed two oil facilities near the capital on Sunday causing minor damage. This followed an air strike on an air force base next to Colombo airport a month ago.
Reuters quoted a Cathay spokesman as saying that “a careful assessment of the situation will be made before services are resumed”.
Cathay said 119 passengers who were stranded in Sri Lanka when their flight was cancelled were being flown home in a special aircraft.
Emirates operates flights from Dubai to the Maldives, Singapore and Indonesia through Colombo. A spokesman said the situation will be reviewed, and a relief flight would be operated for any stranded passengers.
