Heavy Rainfall Forces Diversion of Multiple Aircraft from BIA to Mattala

Heavy rainfall and poor visibility at Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) in Katunayake on May 22, 2026, caused multiple aircraft to be diverted. Approximately six to nine incoming flights were redirected to the Mattala Rajapaksa International Airport (MRIA). Some reports indicate that a portion of these diverted flights were also sent to airports in Cochin and Trivandrum, India, due to the adverse weather conditions. The Civil Aviation Authority has since reportedly prepared MRIA for emergency landings and appointed a committee to manage potential weather-related disruptions.