British Airways launches Colombo operations; plans to add four new routes
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Operating three times a week throughout the winter season, the new service will connect customers directly from London to Sri Lanka. This winter the airline will also welcome its first retrofitted A380 as well as a number of new aircraft and increase capacity across 11 popular long-haul destinations.
British Airways has marked the start of its winter 2026 schedule with the launch of flights to Colombo, as it expands choice for customers across its global network. This winter, the airline will launch four new routes, welcome its first retrofitted A380 as well as a number of new aircraft, and increase capacity across 11 popular long-haul destinations. There is also a boost to in-demand European cities and seasonal services for customers to make the most of winter escapes and festive getaways.
The airline’s inaugural flight to Sri Lanka departed London Gatwick on October 23, touching down in Colombo the following day. The flight was operated by flight and cabin crew colleagues with close personal and family connections to the island, and was welcomed upon arrival by a troupe of traditional Sri Lankan dancers.
Operating three times a week throughout the winter season, the new service will connect customers directly from London to Sri Lanka. The route will offer a choice of World Traveller (economy), World Traveller Plus (premium economy) and Club World (business class), with return fares from GBP 524 including taxes, fees and carrier charges.
Neil Chernoff, British Airways’ Chief Planning and Strategy Officer, said, “The launch of our new Colombo service marks an exciting start to our winter schedule and reflects our continued commitment to offer customers more choice across our network. Alongside opening up inspiring new destinations, we’re increasing capacity to some of our most popular long-haul and short-haul routes, from winter sun favourites such as Cape Town and Barbados, to festive city breaks in Europe.”
British Airways is increasing capacity to a host of popular long-haul destinations, including Cape Town (South Africa), Tokyo (Japan), Bridgetown (Barbados), Kingston (Jamaica) and San José (Costa Rica). As well as launching a brand-new route to Melbourne, Australia on January 9, via Kuala Lumpur.
The winter schedule also includes additional frequencies to popular European destinations, so customers can enjoy a greater choice for city breaks and seasonal getaways. Frequencies are increasing to destinations including Rome and Florence in Italy, Gothenburg in Sweden, and Jersey in the Channel Islands.
Canary Islands' Fuerteventura, will move from London Gatwick to London Heathrow, operating twice a week, from mid-December to April. Meanwhile Palermo in Italy becomes a year-round service on the British Airways network, and Thessaloniki in Northern Greece extends its season into November and March, reflecting continued demand for these vibrant Mediterranean cities. In a significant increase to capacity, there will also be seven additional flights per week to Cairo, taking the schedule to Egyptian capital to three per day.
Geneva remains a key destination for customers heading to the slopes this winter, with British Airways operating up to 110 flights a week during the peak ski season.
For customers looking for a festive escape, British Airways will operate up to five flights a week from London Heathrow to Cologne, and four times per week to Nuremberg, throughout December, perfectly timed for the Christmas market season. In addition, Innsbruck in Austria, home to seven charming Christmas markets, will be served 16 times per week from London Gatwick and twice per week from London City.
The airline is also launching direct flights from London Gatwick to Rovaniemi, Finland. Operated by BA Euroflyer, flights will depart twice a week to the capital of Finnish Lapland, between December 4 and January 4. The new route complements the existing service from London Gatwick to Ivalo, Finland and the now daily service from London Heathrow to Tromso, Norway, giving customers even more opportunities to experience the wonder of the Northern Lights and the awe of the Arctic circle.
