Sri Lanka’s domestic aviation training is nearly at a standstill due to a critical shortage of aviation gasoline (AVGAS), with fresh supplies expected only after 29th May 2025, according to reliable sources.
In response to appeals from flight schools, the Sri Lanka Air Force temporarily released a small quantity of AVGAS, sufficient for only a few days of operations, on a loan basis. No alternative fuel plan is currently in place.
Compounding the crisis, a new Inland Revenue directive has removed VAT exemptions on aircraft engines and spare parts, increasing operational costs. The industry, already hampered by outdated infrastructure and equipment, warns of long-term impacts on aviation talent development.
Stakeholders urge urgent government intervention to ensure stable fuel supplies and modernise aviation infrastructure.
