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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