• Talks have begun between the Embassies and the Tourism Ministry on the resumption of airline operations

By Darshana Sanjeewa Balasuriya  

The Government is expecting around 5,000 tourists from Israel within three months from May after launching direct flights between Israel and Sri Lanka.   

Tourism Minister Prasanna Ranathunga said that they expected to commence direct flights between the two countries soon.  
“It is expected that between 2,000 and 5,000 Israeli tourists will visit Sri Lanka during May-Sept, travel season once the direct flights operations commence by the two nations,” 
he said.  

The Minister said with the reopening of the country to invite tourists after the Covid pandemic, talks have begun between the Embassies and the Tourism Ministry on the resumption of airline operations.   

Minister Ranathunga said the discussions were under-way to begin direct flights to Sri Lanka from Russia by Aeroflot, Sharjah by Air Arabia, Dubai by Flydubai, India by Vistara airlines and Kuwait by Jazeera airlines.  

The Minister said that prior to the outbreak of the Covid-19  globally, 35 airlines had operated direct flights to Sri Lanka.   

“Qatar airways, Emirates, Etihad , Turkish Airlines, Kuwait Airways, Singapore Airlines,China Eastern Airlines, Ukraine Airline, Skype Airlines of Ukraine, Air Astana Airlines and Oman Airlines have now commenced operating direct flights to Sri Lanka.,”he said.

• Prior to the outbreak of the Covid-19  globally, 35 airlines had operated direct flights to Sri Lanka