flydubai (FZ, Dubai International) will end its daily Hambantota services with effect from May 1 thereby leaving the south-east Sri Lankan town without any scheduled traffic. Other operators such as SriLankan Airlines (UL, Colombo International) and Rotana Jet Aviation (RG, Abu Dhabi Bateen) have also discontinued their respective services there.
Local media reports state the Emirati budget carrier will continue to serve the island nation with a daily Colombo International service.
Located about 200km from Colombo, the airfield was constructed by former Sri Lankan president Mahinda Rajapaksa, who is from the area, and is considered a white elephant given its lack of commercial traffic in comparison to its cost (USD210 million).
