COLOMBO, 12 March 2026: SriLankan Airlines resumed its daily flights to Riyadh on 9 March and Dubai on 10 March, while continuing to closely monitor the situation in the Middle East.
SriLankan Airlines stated they are continuing to “closely monitor the situation in the Middle East” and will prioritise passenger and crew safety. Future schedules may still be subject to change based on regional stability.
Other UL Middle East Routes: Earlier in March, other routes (including Dammam, Doha, and Kuwait) also faced cancellations. If you are travelling to these cities, it is recommended to verify the current status of those specific flights.
Booking and Status: You can check real-time flight status on the SriLankan Airlines official website or via their 24-hour contact centre at +94 11 777 1979
The airline’s contact details: 1979 (within Sri Lanka); +94 11 777 1979 (international); WhatsApp +94 74 444 1979 (chat only); or your travel agent.
The following UL flights are operating
UL265: Colombo–Riyadh 1815
UL266: Riyadh–Colombo 2235
UL231: Colombo–Dubai 1240
UL232: Dubai–Colombo 1700
Current Status: Dubai Airports
Dubai has not “fully” reopened to its normal, pre-conflict capacity. While both Dubai International (DXB) and Al Maktoum (DWC) airports are open and flights are operating, they are currently operating at restricted capacity and with limited schedules.
The situation is currently in a “phased reopening” stage following the recent regional tensions and airspace closures. Here is the breakdown of what that means for you:
- Limited Flights: Airlines such as Emirates and flydubai are gradually restoring their networks, but many routes remain on reduced frequencies. As of yesterday, Emirates was running about 60% of its usual global network.
- Restricted Airspace: UAE airspace is not yet fully open. Flights are currently being routed through “restricted corridors” via Saudi Arabian and Omani airspace, which can lead to longer flight times and technical delays.
- Strict Passenger Rules: Authorities are advising travellers not to go to the airport unless they have a confirmed booking and have received direct confirmation from their airline that the flight is still scheduled.
- Transit Restrictions: If you are transiting through Dubai, you may board your first flight only if your connecting flight out of Dubai is confirmed to operate.
The “partial” status reflects ongoing monitoring of the security situation in the Middle East. While SriLankan Airlines has resumed its daily service to Dubai (UL231/UL232), these flights are subject to last-minute changes depending on safety assessments.
(Source: Sri Lankan and additional reporting)
