Two SriLankan Airlines flights bound for Kuwait City and Dammam returned safely to the Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA), after airspace in parts of the Middle East was closed following the sudden escalation of tensions in the region last night, according to SriLankan Airlines Manager of Corporate Communications, Deepal Perera.
SriLankan Airlines flight UL229 departed the BIA for the Kuwait International Airport at 5:10 p.m. yesterday, while flight UL253 departed for the King Fahd International Airport, Dammam, at 6:36 p.m. Both flights were operated using Airbus A321neo aircraft.
As the aircraft approached the Middle East, Iran allegedly launched a series of missile and drone attacks across the region, prompting Kuwait and Saudi Arabia to temporarily close their respective airspaces.
Unable to proceed immediately to their destinations, the two aircraft remained in holding patterns near the affected airspace for approximately one hour and 10 minutes. Once the airspace was reopened, the pilots landed both aircraft safely at their respective destinations.
Reports indicate that several other international flights were also forced to hold in the air due to the temporary airspace closures.
The two aircraft arrived back at the Bandaranaike International Airport (Katunayake) this morning (15), said Ada Derana reporter.
