Russian tourists arrive in Colombo as SriLankan resumes weekly flights to Moscow
COLOMBO – A group of Russian tourists arrived in Sri Lanka on Sunday (Aug 1) as SriLankan Airlines resumed weekly direct flights to Moscow.
State-run SriLankan Airlines said it has started flying to Moscow once a week using Airbus A330 equipment with 269 economy and 28 business class seats, after a break of 6 years.
It said the inaugural flight was ceremonially greeted with a water salute at Domodedovo Airport (DME) in Moscow.
“Sri Lanka has a long-standing relationship with Russia that dates back to many centuries, as we have kept an undiminished friendship propagating trade, tourism, culture, and education,” SriLankan Airlines Chairman Ashok Pathirage said in a statement, adding that the resumption of flights to Moscow provides a significant air link that opens to the gateway of the South Asian region.
“We hope our flights between the two countries builds a window of opportunity for both countries in terms of trade and tourism,” he said.
The 8 hour 25 minute UL533 flight will depart Colombo every Friday at 22:20 p.m. and land at Moscow Domodedovo Airport at 04:30 a.m. The return UL534 will leave Moscow at 19:15 p.m. on Saturday and land in Colombo at 06:05 a.m. on Sunday.
“Passengers can now transfer or travel to Sri Lanka as restrictions in the country gradually ease for international business and leisure visitors,” CEO Vipula Gunatilleka said.
“In time to come we look forward to increasing our cargo and passenger frequencies.”
SriLankan Airlines said it was the first carrier in the South Asian region to receive the ‘Diamond’ rating from the Airline Passengers Experience Association (APEX) and SimpliFlying for the extra safety measures and comprehensive hygiene precautions against Coronavirus.
-economyenxt.com/ENCL