SriLankan Airlines suspends flights to Moscow

SriLankan Airlines yesterday announced the immediate suspension of operations between Sri Lanka and Moscow, Russia, due to operational restrictions that are outside of the airline’s control. 

“The restrictions are in the form of international financial and aircraft insurance limits, which have been imposed on Russia, due to the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war and directly impact SriLankan Airlines’ flight operations to Russia. Accordingly, SriLankan Airlines will cease operations to Moscow until further notice,” a brief statement from the airline said.

SriLankan expressed regret for any inconvenience caused to customers by this decision taken on account of a force majeure situation. 

SriLankan said it would continue to monitor the situation in Russia and hopes to restart operations once conditions improve.

SriLankan maintained two weekly flights between Colombo and Moscow before the cessation of operations.

Early this month, SriLankan Chairman Ashok Pathirage told Mirror Business that the airline would continue to fly the Colombo-Moscow route, given the rising demand amid many global airlines suspending their operations to Russia.  

SriLankan resumed flights to Moscow in July 2021, after a six-year hiatus.