UK Flight Disruption and Effect on Colombo

The technical issue occurred at the UK National Air Traffic Services (NATS) has been now resolved.

However still the disruption caused for the air services can affect both Sri Lanka-bound flights from the UK and flights departing Sri Lanka for the UK

More than 1,000 flights were cancelled on Tuesday, with further cancellations and delays continuing today.

Reports says major knock-on disruptions are continuing, particularly at Heathrow, as airlines reposition aircraft and crew.

continuing today.

Impact on Sri Lanka flights

1. London → Colombo

Flights departing from Heathrow for Colombo may experience delayed departure, cancellations, late arrivals in Colombo or crew scheduling disruptions.

SriLankan Airlines’ UL504 (London–Colombo) which was expected to land today at 12h45 is delayed arrival by several hours.

2. Colombo → London

This may be more immediately affected.

The flight services to UK leaving Colombo could face diversion, holding patterns before landing, delayed arrival, cancelletion or scheduled changes delayed arrival to Colombo.

Latest Assessment

Colombo to London Heathrow has a very high risk of disruptions during the next 24 hours

London Heathrow to Colombo too has a very high risk of disruptions during the next 24 hours

Flights via UK too has a very high possibility of disruptions.

Flights via Middle Eastern Hubs also may face some issues.

Important for passengers travelling today or tomorrow

Check with Sri Lankan Airlines or British Airways, before you leave home for the airport.

Heathrow Airport itself has warned passengers that schedules may continue to change while aircraft and crews are repositioned.

Despite thetechnical issue is fixed, there could be flight disruptions during the next 24–48 hours.

The Colombo-bound and London-bound passengers should not assume that a scheduled flight will operate normally until they receive confirmation from their airline.