SriLankan clarifies flight diversion to Mattala from BIA

by Zulfick Farzan 05-05-2023 | 5:06 PM

COLOMBO (News 1st); SriLankan Airlines on Friday (5) issued a clarification over reports on diverting flights to Mattala, especially with regard to a flight from Melbourne, Australia.

In a clarification SriLankan Airlines informed that UL 605 from Melbourne to Colombo was diverted to Mattala Rajapaksa International Airport on 4th May 2023) due to inclement weather at Bandaranaike International Airport,

The aircraft had to further remain on ground at Mattala as the operating crew of the flight had reached their flight duty time limitation according to civil aviation regulations.

It added that there were 294 passengers, 3 infants and 15 crew members onboard UL 605.

Passengers who were to disembark in Sri Lanka were provided with ground transport to Colombo and passengers travelling beyond Sri Lanka were given hotel accommodation in and around Mattala until the flight’s departure to Bandaranaike International Airport.

SriLankan Airlines said it regrets any inconvenience caused to passengers as a result of diverting the flight, which was a necessary measure to ensure a safe landing for the passengers and crew members onboard.

The airline is currently making every effort to connect affected passengers to their final destination.

Three aircraft that were scheduled to land at the Bandaranaike International Airport were diverted to the Mattala International Airport due to bad weather conditions over Katunayake.

SriLankan Airlines flight UL 605 that was to land at the BIA at 10:25 PM on Thursday (4) after deparing from Melbourne, Australia was diverted to Mattala.

The flight with 297 passengers, and 15 crew reached Mattala International Airport at 11:35 PM.

The Duty Manager at the BIA told News 1st that showers and thundershowers were experienced in Katunayake since Thursday (4) night and on Friday (5) morning.

In addition, SriLankan Airlines flight UL 104 from Male, Maldives was scheduled to reach BIA at 10:55 PM on Thursday (4), and it was also diverted to Mattala.

It reached the Mattala International Airport at 12:02 AM on Friday (5).

The third flight that was diverted to Mattala on Friday (5) morning was from Dammam Saudi Arabia.

Passengers and crew aboard this flight were bussed to Katunayake from Mattala.

Passengers also released images and footage of their journey to Colombo from Mattala.