In the wake of attacks by Tamil Tiger rebels, Emirates and Cathay Pacific have suspended flights to the Sri Lankan capital Colombo until further notice.
Two fuel facilities and a gas storage depot were bombed by rebel aircraft on Sunday and 12 people were killed in a separate clash between Tigers and Sri Lankan forces.
In light of the incidents, both Cathay Pacific and Emirates have suspended their flights to the country, and Singapore Airlines will only fly into Colombo during daylight hours.
A spokesman for Cathay Pacific said: “Safety is a top priority at Cathay Pacific and a careful assessment of the situation will be made before services are resumed.”
An Emirates spokesman concurred, maintaining that the safety of the airline’s passengers is “of paramount importance”.
Sunday’s air raid was the latest in a series carried out by the Tamil Tigers, a militant group whose goal is secession from the Sri Lankan state for the north and eastern Tamil regions.
Singapore Airlines has decided it is safe enough to fly to Colombo but has chosen to reschedule its flying times to avoid the night time hours.
The Sri Lanka Tourist Board stressed that the Tamil Tigers have never targeted tourists.
