107,639 tourist arrivals; MRIA receives 11,926 with 72 aircraft movements: AASL

By Chaturanga Pradeep Samarawickrama  

While Sri Lanka’s tourism industry recorded 107,639 international tourist arrivals in February 2023, the MRIA has facilitated 11,926 international tourist movements (6,259 arrivals and 5,667 departures) over 72 international aircraft movements, Airport and Aviation Services (Sri Lanka) (Private) Limited (AASL) said.  

The top five source markets for Sri Lanka in February have been the Russian Federation, 29,084 (27%), India, 13,714 (13%), the United Kingdom, 8,575 (8%), Germany, 7,930 (7%), and France, 6,118 (6%).  

Further, after 2021, MRIA facilitated the first flight of SCAT Airlines of Kazakhstan yesterday, with 188 international tourists arriving in the country. Altogether, 602 international tourists arrived in Sri Lanka yesterday, and also, Red Wings Airlines, a Russian regional leisure airline based in Moscow, carried 414 international tourists to the country while 407 tourists departed on the same flight yesterday.  

AASL has made all the necessary arrangements to welcome the guests and facilitate smooth operations to process 1,009 tourist movements.  

The top management of AASL appreciates the contribution of the Department of Immigration and Emigration, Sri Lanka Customs, and all other institutions at MRIA for their team effort and efficient operations in doing the needful. If the trend continues, the year 2023 will be one of the best recovery years for Sri Lanka, and tourism will support rebuilding the economy.