Red Wings, one of the leading private airlines of the Russian Federation, will start charter flight operations to Mattala International Airport in Sri Lanka, with effect from December 28, the Embassy of Sri Lanka in Moscow announced.
This is the third Russian Airline serving direct flights to Sri Lanka, according to the statement issued by the Embassy.
Initially Red Wings will operate charter services to Sri Lanka twice a week in partnership with leading tour operators in Russia and, discussions are underway to operate regular flights afterwards.
Given that the Russian Federation could be regarded as an important tourist traffic source to Sri Lanka at this trying time, this Embassy is of the view that this flight operation will be of vital importance to revitalize the tourism industry of the country.
The Ambassador of Sri Lanka to the Russian Federation Prof. Janitha A. Liyanage and the team held a meeting with the Commercial Director of Red Wings Air Company Mr. Igor Tretyakov and Head of Analytical Department Ms. Marina Buzina, on 26 December 2022, to discuss the final formalities in this regard.
Meanwhile four world renowned airlines launched new direct flights to Sri Lanka since December.
Accordingly, Russia’s Azur Airlines, Kazakhstan’s Air Astana Airlines, Poland’s Lot Polish Airlines and Italy’s Neos Airlines launched direct flights to Sri Lanka from December 03 onwards.
| Country | Airline | Date of commencement of services in Sri Lanka |
| Russia | Azur Airlines | December 3 |
| Kazakhstan | Air Astana | December 3 |
| Poland | Lot Polish Airlines | December 8 |
| Italy | Neos Airlines | December 15 |
Out of the 37 airlines that operated services to Sri Lanka prior to the Covid outbreak, 17 airlines have resumed passenger flights while eight airlines have resumed cargo operations.