Air Azur resumes charter flights from four cities boosting arrivals from Russia

Thursday, 2 November 2023 02:35 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

Russia’s largest charter airline – Air Azur resumed service to Colombo yesterday providing much-needed push to the tourism industry to bring in Eastern European travellers this winter season.

Airport and Aviation Services (Sri Lanka) Ltd., (AASL) Azur Air will operate four scheduled flights weekly from Venukov, Tolmochev, Krasnoyarsk and St. Petersburg in Russia.

The inaugural flight touched down carrying 332 passengers at the Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) yesterday morning with a celebratory water salute.

The AASL and Sri Lanka Tourism officials welcomed the passengers and gifted Ceylon Tea sponsored by the Sri Lanka Tea Board followed by a traditional Kandyan dance performance.

Russia is the second largest source market for Sri Lanka year-to-date behind India, with 141,976 tourists which accounts for 13% of total traffic so far.

Azur Airline flew twice a week to Colombo from early December 2021 and November 2022 which helped Sri Lanka Tourism to draw a large number of Eastern European travellers.