The Sri Lanka Embassy in Moscow arranged a meeting with PJSC Aeroflot of Russian Federation for the visiting delegation from the Ministry of Tourism & Aviation at the headquarters of Aeroflot on 03 September 2021 in Moscow. During the meeting, officials from PJSC Aeroflot mentioned its readiness to commence a new direct service between Moscow-Colombo, which will start on 4 November 2021.

The Sri Lankan Government is making a fresh effort to woo more tourists by tying up with leading international airlines, aiming to promote Sri Lanka as a safe and attractive tourist destination. This discussion with Aeroflot’s top officials was for launching of such promotion initiative.

During the meeting with the Aeroflot management, Sri Lankan delegation discussed matters pertaining to the flight operational issues related to direct flights from Moscow to Colombo and how Sri Lankan authorities could address those issues, tourism and aviation related matters and cooperation possibilities between the two countries in tourism and aviation sectors, updated health guidelines applicable for both countries, vaccination programme and how the Sri Lankan authorities could facilitate Aeroflot to start and continue their operations smoothly with Sri Lanka.

PJSC Aeroflot was represented by Director of the Department of External Relations and Alliances Natalya R. Teimurazova, Director of the Sales Department R.Z. Asmatullov, Head of the department for work with aviation authorities and organizations I.V. Chernyshov, Deputy Head of the Network Analysis and Planning Department N.N.Bobrov, Chief Specialist of the Department of External Relations and Alliances A.B. Chugunov, Ivon G. Batanov and Anton P. Myagkov in the discussion.

Additional Secretary of State Ministry of Aviation Sunil Gunawardena, Vice Chairman of Airport and Aviation Services (Sri Lanka) Rajiv Sooriyaarachchi, Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority (SLTDA) Consultant Coordinator Nimesh Herath and, Media Secretary of Tourism Minister Pradeep Kumara joined the Sri Lankan delegation and First Secretary (Commercial) Thavishya Mullegamgoda, and translator of the Sri Lanka Mission in Moscow Anna Makarovskaya also participated in the discussion.

The Sri Lankan side mentioned that since the reopening of borders on 21st January 2021, the number of Russian tourist arrivals to Sri Lanka had increased and expressed confidence that the number of Russian tourist arrivals would increase further with the launch of Aeroflot’s direct flights from 4 November 2021.