Sri Lanka Aviation

Is 8D planning to terminate DXB flights from next week (from 7 Sep)?

Everyone says that Edelweiss is going to resume with A350. But they will operate to CMB with Airbus A340 as they're currently operating to MLE. Edelweiss operates A350 for Asian destinations only in April and May.

Hi Banu,

Apologies that I missed your reply.

Management has decided to continue the operation with 2 Jets, 4R-EXR and 4R-EXS. Will share the network soon.

Hi Banu,

Not a permanent termination, 8D/EXV will resume DXB operations by 3rd week of November with 3 weekly frequency and by December, daily flights to DXB. (October and November are dead months for DXB)
but my personal opinion is : it is not wise decision to halt operations for 2 months and resume once the peak is back, to maintain its presence in the market, better to operate three or two weekly flights when it comes to commercial side and network. Unfortunately, 8D/EXV is focusing on point-to-point traffic instead of Network traffic. If 8D wants to grow, they have to rely on mix of point-to-point and network traffic.
Also, There is a possibility to have the Third aircraft by End of this year, which can be a wet-leased aircraft from another airline until 8D gets their dry-leased jets.

Azur Air returns to Sri Lanka: direct charters from 8 Russian cities

Russian carrier Azur Air, the country's largest charter airline, which is affiliated with tour operator Anex Tour, will resume direct charter flights to Sri Lanka for the Winter 2026/2027 season, significantly expanding its route network. After a one-year break, flights will restart on 2 November 2026 and will now be available from eight Russian cities, including five new departure points.

Notably, Azur Air is not the only Russian carrier expanding to Sri Lanka. Aeroflot and S7 Airlines have also announced flights to the island this season – though both will serve Colombo (Bandaranaike International Airport), rather than Mattala – as Russian Travel Digest reported earlier this month.

All Azur Air flights will be operated on Boeing 767‑300 aircraft and will arrive at Mattala International Airport in Hambantota, the island's second-largest gateway on the southern coast. Following a recent renovation, the terminal features expanded waiting areas and additional check‑in counters, with convenient road access to popular southern beach resorts – Bentota, Weligama, Hikkaduwa, and Galle.

Start dates and frequencies for each city (all dates preliminary, subject to minor adjustments):

- Moscow – first flight on November 3, 2026, with 3 flights every 12 days

- Samara – first flight on November 2, 2026, with 1 flight every 12 days

- Tyumen – first flight on November 2, 2026, with 1 flight every 12 days

- Kazan – first flight on November 4, 2026, with 1 flight every 12 days

- Novosibirsk – first flight on November 6, 2026, with 1 flight every 12 days

- Yekaterinburg – first flight on November 7, 2026, with 2 flights every 12 days

- Mineralnye Vody – first flight on November 8, 2026, with 1 flight every 12 days

- Ufa – first flight on November 10, 2026, with 1 flight every 12 days

Moscow will enjoy the highest frequency (three rotations per 12‑day cycle), followed by Yekaterinburg (two). All other cities will have one flight every 12 days.

The three tour operators – Intourist, Fun & Sun, and Anex Tour – have taken blocks of seats on these flights and have already put tours with Azur Air departures on sale.

Russian Travel Digest



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SCAT Air is due to commence operations to Astana-Mattala seasonal schedule flights in November 2026.

NQZ-HRI - VSV5245 - 03:00 - 10:30 - MON.THU
HRI-NQZ - VSV5246 - 14:25 - 20:55 - MON.THU

I wonder which aircraft will be deployed on this route? Good job Sri Lanka Tourism !

Hey banu,
Aircraft type will be Boeing 737 MAX 9. And is supposed to commence on the 28th of October. This is actually operated by Sunday airlines, a subsidiary of SCAT airlines. I'm very pleased to see HRI getting attention.


Thanks

Thanks. Sunday Airlines website states that flights will arrive at HRI on Wednesdays and Sundays and depart from HRI on Mondays and Thursdays. Will the aircraft remain parked for more than 24 hours, or will it operate to another city in Kazakhstan from HRI between those days?

It's good to hear EXR is going to stay! How long has the lease been extended for?

It is important for Sri Lanka that 8D expands its network. Which aircraft type will join as the third aircraft?

​UL has also recently reduced its CMB–DXB flights from 11 weekly to 7.​

For those not aware, our analysis reports, airline information, and flight schedules are being updated regularly on the Lanka Aviator website. Links are available in the menu.

It's great to see international airlines steadily launching services to Sri Lanka. However, I wonder why the airlines listed below haven't announced flights to Sri Lanka yet. There are also still no direct flights between CMB and JED. What are your thoughts?

Any updates on the following carriers serving Sri Lanka?

Saudia
​Biman Bangladesh Airlines
​Ethiopian Airlines
​Batik Air Indonesia
​Oman Air
​Korean Air
Maldivian
PIA
Himalaya Airlines
Air Astana

​Is there any chance Scoot will enter the SIN–CMB route, given that SQ is reducing frequency from 14 to 7 weekly flights starting late October?

​Also, is FZ not interested in resuming HRI flights via CMB? It seems SkyUp has completely stopped operating flights to HRI and is now only flying to Sri Lanka up to CMB in partnership with FZ. It also looks like Red Wings has pulled out of HRI.​

I'm also keen to know how FitsAir is performing on the AMD route, and how Jetstar, Vietjet, and Vietnam Airlines are performing on their CMB routes.

There are alot of factors as to why alot of airlines aren't operating to CMB, but one of the main reasons is the lack of slots at CMB. That's why this government is so keen on trying to renovate Terminal 1 and to get Terminal 2 construction started up again, The total amount of passengers these two terminals can handle will be around 24 million passengers, CMB serves around 10 million per year with it's dilapidated terminal.

The main bottleneck here is the terminal, and I believe when terminal ones renovation is finished by next year, we will be able to have atleast increased frequencies and more airlines, but we also have to expand our parking space/gates as well to facilitate this growing demand.

And as far as I am aware, DrukAir had a proposal to launch flights from PHB to CMB last year, I have no idea if it took off or not. Pakistan and Sri Lanka also discussed on the possibility of increasing flights. With the current state of PIA, I hope they atleast launch flights from LHE or KHI. I have no idea about Ethiopian airlines, but they recently entered into an agreement with the Maldives on fifth freedom flights, and this included flights from MLE to CMB.

US Bangla is eyeing flights from DAC to CMB according to rumours, Biman is unlikely to start flights. Korean air and Oman air are unlikely to return this year, hopeful they will return next year.

Air Astana is set to return this December for its regular seasonal schedule.

Polish LOT airlines is ALSO planning to commence flights from WAW to CMB by 2027-2028.

But for now, we just have to hope and see. Sri Lanka needs to grow and it'll take time before airlines are keen to fly here, the majority of traffic is from the hubs in the middle east.

Thanks.

No info regarding the Lease extension of 4R-EXR.
Definitely the AC type should be A320 for sure.
Mid-September to Late-November is a Dead month for CMBDXB/DXBCMB sectors as usual. That is why UL is reducing their frequency.

SriLankan Airlines cancels Jakarta flights due to volcanic ash clouds

UL resumed their CGK operations today with an A333 to clear the backlog.

Sri Lanka and Oman Hold High-Level Aviation Discussions in Malaysia: Focus on Operations at Mattala Rajapaksa International Airport

September, 9, 2026

Sri Lanka and the Sultanate of Oman discussed further strengthening cooperation in civil aviation, with particular focus on the operation and development of Mattala Rajapaksa International Airport, enhancing direct air connectivity and expanding airline services between the two countries.

The meeting took place in Kuala Lumpur at the 61st Conference of Directors General of Civil Aviation, Asia and Pacific Region (DGCA/61) between Capt. Daminda Rambukwella, Director General of Civil Aviation and Chief Executive Officer of the Civil Aviation Authority of Sri Lanka (CAASL), and Eng. Naif bin Ali Al Abri, President of the Civil Aviation Authority of Oman.
A key focus of the discussion was Mattala Rajapaksa International Airport (MRIA), with Eng. Naif bin Ali Al Abri expressing interest in its operations and future development potential.

The two officials also discussed the resumption of direct flights between Sri Lanka and Oman through SriLankan Airlines, the possible resumption of Oman Air services between Muscat and Sri Lanka, and increasing the frequency of existing SalamAir services.

The expansion of air connectivity between the two countries is expected to support the growth of tourism, trade and business while strengthening people-to-people links between Sri Lanka and Oman.

Eng. Naif bin Ali Al Abri also requested Sri Lanka’s support for a special International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) meeting scheduled to be held in Oman. Sri Lanka expressed its willingness to provide the necessary support.

As part of efforts to further strengthen bilateral aviation relations, Eng. Naif bin Ali Al Abri invited the Minister of Ports and Civil Aviation, the Deputy Minister, the Secretary to the Ministry and Capt. Daminda Rambukwella to visit Oman. Capt. Daminda Rambukwella also extended an invitation to the Chairman of the Civil Aviation Authority of Oman to visit Sri Lanka.

The meeting further strengthened the foundation for closer Sri Lanka–Oman cooperation in civil aviation, airport development and international air connectivity.