• Russian carrier the first int’l flight since econ. crisis
• Maiden flight to arrive on 29th with over 400 tourists

Mattala Rajapaksa International Airport (MRIA) in Hambantota is scheduled to receive its first international passenger flight since the worsening of the economic and political crisis in May 2022, with the arrival of the international flight chartered by the Russian Red Wings Airlines on 29 December 2022.

Speaking to The Sunday Morning Business, Airport and Aviation Services (Sri Lanka) Ltd. (AASL) Chairman Major General (Retd) G.A. Chandrasiri revealed that a charter flight from Red Wings Airlines, which was a Russian airline, was scheduled to arrive at MRIA on 29 December 2022 carrying over 400 tourists. 

Elaborating further, he stated: “This is the first international passenger flight to arrive at MRIA following the deterioration of conditions in Sri Lanka amidst the political and economic crisis.”

However, he revealed that a flight chartered by the National Geographic Society had arrived at MRIA last week. “The National Geographic Society was conducting a programme in the Mattala area. They were not tourists and mainly consisted of scientists. They stayed for three days and left for the Maldives, I believe.” 

Chandrasiri further stated that there was a possibility that following the success of this charter flight, Red Wings Airlines would consider scheduled flights to MRIA going forward.

The Russian publication RuNews24 reported that Red Wings Airlines was scheduled to commence flights to MRIA and that the first flight was scheduled to depart from Moscow on 28 December 2022. Furthermore, according to the flight programme, Red Wings is scheduled to operate flights to Sri Lanka until 14 May 2023.

“Travel agencies FUN&SUN and PAX will book blocks of seats on Red Wings flights. Thus, tourists will have to pay about RUB 178,000 for a tour for 11 days for two to Hikkaduwa with a flight on 28 December. After the New Year holidays there is a forecasted decline in the cost of tours. A similar tour, but with the departure on 8 January, will cost tourists almost RUB 50,000 cheaper. The price for such a tour will be RUB 122,000,” the news outlet said.

Before the economic crisis, the Sri Lankan Government and the AASL had revealed a plan to develop the MRIA into a fully active airport catering largely to the Central Asian region. Accordingly, they were successful in attracting a couple of Central Asian airlines to commence scheduled flights as well as chartered flights to MRIA. 

However, following the deterioration of conditions in the country amidst the mass protests and violence that took place, all international flights to MRIA came to a halt.