29 June 2026
New aerodromes are not common and new water aerodromes even less so but Sri Lanka has formally licensed its first water aerodrome, bringing floatplane operations into the country’s mainstream aviation framework.
The new licence, issued by the Civil Aviation Authority of Sri Lanka (CAASL), covers the Castlereigh Reservoir Water Aerodrome in the island’s central highlands — a scenic tea-growing region.
It’s the first approval under Sri Lanka’s Water Aerodrome Regulations, introduced in 2022 to create a formal regulatory structure for floatplane operations. Until now, seaplane flying in Sri Lanka had operated without a dedicated aerodrome licensing system.
Castlereigh Reservoir Water Aerodrome. Image: Google Earth
The reservoir itself offers a sizeable 2,680m water runway at around 3,600ft AMSL, giving plenty of room for operations in what is some of the island’s most dramatic terrain. The site falls under the authority of the Ceylon Electricity Board but is operated by local carrier Saffron Aviation, better known as Cinnamon Air.
For GA pilots, it’s another sign that waterborne aviation — often overlooked outside places like Canada and the Maldives — is gaining proper recognition as a practical transport option in island nations and remote regions.
Cinnamon Air operates Cessna 208 Grand Caravan floatplanes. Photo: Cinnamon Air
Cinnamon Air has been Sri Lanka’s only floatplane operator for more than a decade, using amphibious Cessna 208 Caravan aircraft to connect Colombo with inland and coastal destinations. The new licence should make those operations easier to regulate and potentially easier to expand.
Before granting approval, CAASL carried out a full audit covering aerodrome operations, safety management, security, emergency planning and operational procedures. The authority says the move will support “safe, secure and sustainable” growth in the sector while boosting domestic tourism and connectivity.
For a country with lakes, reservoirs and coastline in abundance, it may be the first of many.
