Emirates has announced that it will double its Airbus A350 operations on the Dubai-Colombo route by introducing a second daily A350 service from August 8, 2026. The move strengthens the airline's commitment to the Sri Lankan market while providing travellers with greater flexibility and increased access to its Premium Economy cabin.
The additional Airbus A350 will replace the Boeing 777 currently operating flight EK648/649, increasing the number of Premium Economy seats available between Dubai and Colombo. Emirates currently operates four daily services on the route, including three non-stop flights and one daily service via Male.
New Schedule Details
The upgraded service will see flight EK648 depart Dubai at 4:10 pm and arrive at Colombo's Bandaranaike International Airport at 10:10 pm. The return flight, EK649, will depart Colombo at 2:55 am and arrive in Dubai at 5:50 am. All timings are local.
The Airbus A350 is the newest addition to Emirates' all-widebody fleet and offers passengers a modern travel experience with redesigned cabins, wider aisles, higher ceilings, faster Wi-Fi connectivity, and 4K in-flight entertainment screens. The entertainment system also supports multiple languages, including Sinhala and Tamil, enhancing the onboard experience for travellers to and from Sri Lanka.
Emirates first brought the A350 to Colombo in March 2025; doubling it within 18 months signals stronger-than-expected demand on the route rather than a routine fleet rotation. The Sinhala and Tamil entertainment support is a small but notable localization signal for a route Emirates is clearly treating as a long-term priority, not just a seasonal add. For Dubai-Sri Lanka business and diaspora travel, more Premium Economy capacity means better availability and pricing during peak periods.
A Milestone Year for Emirates in Sri Lanka
Emirates first introduced the Airbus A350 on the Colombo route in March 2025, bringing its Premium Economy product to Sri Lanka for the first time. The deployment of a second A350 reflects growing passenger demand and the airline's continued investment in expanding its latest-generation fleet across key international destinations.
The expansion also coincides with a significant milestone for Emirates, as 2026 marks 40 years of operations in Sri Lanka. Today, the airline connects Colombo to nearly 140 destinations through its global network, supporting tourism, business travel, and trade between Sri Lanka, the UAE, and the rest of the world.
By increasing Airbus A350 services to Colombo, Emirates continues to enhance connectivity between Dubai and one of South Asia's most popular travel destinations while delivering an improved customer experience through its newest aircraft and award-winning Premium Economy offering. Full details are available in Emirates' original announcement.
This expansion is part of a broader wave of UAE investment in infrastructure and connectivity this year. Related coverage: UAE Announces World's Largest AI Research Campus.
