New Cargo Airline ‘WEAIR’ to strengthen Sri Lanka’s regional connectivity

By Sanath Weerasuriya

WEAIR, a newest competitor into Sri Lanka’s cargo aviation sector, is set to commence operations on 28 May 2026, aiming to strengthen the country’s air freight capacity and enhance regional connectivity. 

CEO- Thinesh Ganeshakumaran

Sri Lanka’s travel and logistics landscape is poised for a notable shift as WEAIR prepares to take to the skies on 28 May. Entering the country’s expanding cargo aviation sector, the new airline marks a timely boost to air freight capacity at a point when speed, connectivity, and reliability are becoming critical to both tourism and trade.

Backed by Luxembourg-based IOTC, WEAIR is positioning itself as a next-generation, Sri Lanka-based cargo carrier, designed to meet rising demand across key regional trade corridors while establishing Colombo as a strategic Asian hub. Led by Sri Lankan-born Group CEO Thinesh Ganeshakumaran, the airline is set to commence operations on 28 May 2026, with ambitions to streamline the movement of goods while reinforcing Sri Lanka’s role as an emerging hub for South Asian air connectivity.

Sri Lanka’s air cargo sector has traditionally depended on passenger belly capacity and foreign operators, often limiting flexibility for exporters and freight forwarders.

CMO-Indrajith Joseph

‘The introduction of a dedicated cargo airline is expected to significantly improve reliability, capacity availability and turnaround times, particularly for time-sensitive shipments such as apparel, perishables, pharmaceuticals and e-commerce goods’ said Indrajith Joseph, Chief Marketing Officer of the airline.

WEAIR plans to establish a regional network connecting Colombo with major destinations across South Asia, the Middle East and Southeast Asia, leveraging the island’s strategic geographic location at the crossroads of global trade routes. 

The airline will begin operations with a Boeing 737-800 freighter and has outlined a phased fleet expansion strategy. 

Indrajit Joseph joins as Chief Marketing Officer and Assistant to CCO, contributing extensive expertise in marketing and corporate leadership.

Looking ahead, WEAIR has outlined plans for a potential listing on the Colombo Stock Exchange (CSE) by 2029. The company is also exploring expansion into passenger operations as part of its long-term growth strategy. Beyond its operational ambitions, WEAIR is expected to contribute to employment generation across aviation and logistics sectors, including ground handling, cargo operations and related services.

Commenting on the development, CEO Thinesh Ganeshakumaran stated that the airline is focused on building a reliable and efficient cargo network to support Sri Lanka’s evolving role in global trade. 

WEAIR’s initial network has been structured to maximise regional reach and frequency, with services operating on multiple rotations through key South Asian and Indian Ocean destinations. Scheduled routes include Colombo–Bengaluru–Malé–Colombo and Colombo–Lahore–Dhaka–Malé–Colombo on select days, alongside regular Colombo–Malé shuttles and additional links via Dhaka, ensuring consistent connectivity across its core markets.

Central to the airline’s strategy is the positioning of Colombo as a regional cargo hub, capitalising on its location along major east–west trade lanes to consolidate freight flows efficiently. To support early volumes and market penetration, WEAIR has also secured General Sales Agent (GSA) partnerships across Sri Lanka, India, the Maldives, Bangladesh and Pakistan, laying the groundwork for a broader network as operations scale up.