Sri Lanka has assured that it maintains sufficient aviation fuel stocks to support both domestic and international flight operations despite ongoing tensions in the Middle East.
Speaking at a media briefing held at the Government Information Department, Daminda Rambukwella, Director General and CEO of the Civil Aviation Authority of Sri Lanka, said the impact on airline operations has eased from around 55–60% in recent weeks to approximately 30–35%.
He noted that most Middle Eastern routes are now operating as scheduled, although flights to a few destinations remain temporarily suspended.
Captain Rambukwella explained that aviation operations rely on fuels such as Jet A-1 and Avgas, and that a special committee was previously appointed to manage fuel-related challenges. Currently, the Ceylon Petroleum Corporation holds around 34,000 metric tons of aviation fuel, with an additional 15,000 metric tons sourced from refineries and a further 43,000 metric tons already on order.
Sri Lanka’s daily aviation fuel consumption is estimated at about 1,600 metric tons, with existing reserves sufficient for nearly 57 days. In addition, a shipment of 35,000 metric tons has already arrived, while another 8,000 metric tons is expected on April 2. Authorities have also placed further orders through the tender process to ensure continuous supply.
Meanwhile, 271 barrels of Avgas, mainly used for light aircraft, are currently available, which is sufficient for more than 100 days based on current usage levels. He also assured that adequate fuel stocks are in place to support large aircraft, including Boeing 777 operations, ensuring uninterrupted civil aviation services.
