British Airways has resumed scheduled flights to Sri Lanka for the first time in a decade, with the carrier’s Boeing 777-200ER operating flight BA2045 from London Gatwick (LGW) to Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) in Katunayake on Saturday 24 October 2026.
Service details
The airline will operate the route three times a week during the winter schedule as a seasonal service. The reinstated link offers passengers economy, premium economy and business class options. British Airways has appointed Advantis Aviation Services, a subsidiary of Hayleys Group, as its General Sales Agent (GSA) in Sri Lanka.
| carrier | origin | destination | start date | weekly frequency | aircraft |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| British Airways | London Gatwick (LGW) | Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA), Katunayake | 24 October 2026 | 3 | Boeing 777-200ER |
Connectivity and commercial context
The restart of Gatwick–Colombo services restores a direct scheduled link between the UK and Sri Lanka after ten years, which the airline and local industry expect to support tourism, business travel and bilateral ties. The service is timed to operate in the UK winter season when demand patterns often favour long-haul leisure markets.
Local representation
Advantis Aviation Services will act as British Airways’ GSA in Sri Lanka. The arrangement places local commercial responsibilities, including ticketing and local sales support, with a subsidiary of the Hayleys Group.
- First arrival: flight BA2045 from London Gatwick on Saturday 24 October 2026
- Schedule: three weekly seasonal flights during the winter timetable
- Equipment: Boeing 777-200ER; cabin: economy, premium economy, business
The carrier described the service as seasonal for the winter schedule and has positioned the reinstatement as a step to strengthen people-to-people and commercial connections between Sri Lanka and the United Kingdom.
