[IMG=21016-6852]Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Sri-Lanka said that at the moment they are negotiating a direct flight to Colombo with Russian airlines. It is understood that the new scheduled flight will be operated instead of flights previously operated by SriLankan Airlines. At the moment neither the airline nor the date of the flight launch are known.
Meanwhile, Farkhad Babakhanov, General Director of Sputnik-Asia in 21st Century, commented the initiative of the Embassy as follows: ‘despite the current uncertainty I consider the launch of a direct flight to Colombo to be an important step forward’. Olga Arkhipova, Director of Cannaisance Travel, added: ‘we are pro high quality air traffic, but the launch of a new flight to the destination will face certain difficulties, therefore, it will hardly be launched soon’.
We remind you that before Aeroflot and Krasair operated flights from Moscow to Colombo. The flights were terminated after the tsunami when it was possible to get to Colombo via either Doha by Qatar Airways or Dubai by Emirates. ‘However, the demand for Sri-Lanka is constantly growing and even now we can forecast shortage of air traffic in the season. Therefore, a direct flight undoubtedly will be in demand in the Russian market’, said Arkhipova.
Furthermore, the Embassy of Sri-Lanka plans the opening of Tourism Board of the country in Moscow. Its advertising budget is not defined at the moment. However, its priorities will refer to communications with The Community of Friendship with Sri-Lanka and Ceylon Club in Moscow.