  
Three international airlines are scheduled to resume flights to Sri Lanka this year, expanding connectivity to meet travel demand from tourists during the European winter season. The upcoming services will connect travelers from Europe and Russia to the island’s major aviation hubs.
Russia-based carrier Azur Air is scheduled to begin flights to Mattala Rajapaksa International Airport starting November 2. The move marks an early seasonal push to facilitate travel ahead of peak holiday periods.
Flight operations will see further expansion in December with the entry of French airline French Bee and Russian carrier S7 Airlines. French Bee is expected to launch seasonal flights to Bandaranaike International Airport in Katunayake, operating the service via the Maldives. Simultaneously, S7 Airlines will operate direct flights from Siberia to Katunayake, running two weekly flights that connect Novosibirsk directly to Colombo.
Key Route Developments
- Azur Air: Beginning flights from Russia to Mattala Rajapaksa International Airport on November 2.
- French Bee: Launching seasonal services to Bandaranaike International Airport in Katunayake via the Maldives in December.
- S7 Airlines: Operating two direct flights weekly from Novosibirsk, Siberia, to Colombo via Katunayake starting in December.
- Winter Tourism Focus: All three airlines are reinstating services to accommodate travelers during the European winter travel window.
The resumption of these services across both Bandaranaike International Airport and Mattala Rajapaksa International Airport reinforces Sri Lanka’s international flight network heading into the busy year-end season.