British Airways (BA) has announced that it will resume flights to Colombo after an 11-year suspension, marking a significant boost for Sri Lanka’s aviation and tourism sectors.
The airline confirmed that services to Bandaranaike International Airport (CMB) will be reintroduced as part of its Winter 2026 long-haul schedule from 23 October 2026 , alongside a new route to Melbourne Airport (MEL) in Australia.
British Airways had previously suspended its Colombo operations in 2015 due to commercial reasons. The decision to resume flights is seen as a positive signal of renewed confidence in Sri Lanka as a travel destination.
As part of its broader expansion, the airline plans to increase its long-haul network capacity by nine percent compared to the previous winter season. In addition to launching new destinations, British Airways will also increase flight frequencies from London Heathrow Airport (LHR) and London Gatwick Airport (LGW) to several high-demand global destinations.
The expansion reflects growing demand for international travel and the airline’s strategy to strengthen connectivity across key global markets.
The resumption of direct flights between London and Colombo is expected to enhance tourism, improve business travel links, and provide greater convenience for Sri Lankan passengers traveling to the United Kingdom and beyond.
