News365.lk By Staff Reporter
28 October 2025 The Mattala Rajapaksa International Airport (MRIA) welcomed two new international carriers this week, marking a major step forward for Sri Lanka’s southern aviation and tourism sectors as the country prepares for the 2025–2026 winter season.
Red Wings Airlines (Russia) Commences Winter Operations
Red Wings Airlines, one of Russia’s leading carriers known for its scheduled and charter services, launched its winter flight operations to Mattala on 28 October 2025.
The airline is operating Boeing 777-200 aircraft with a 412-passenger capacity and has scheduled six flights per week, with an additional service every ten days.
The inaugural flight arrived at 12:10 p.m. carrying 402 tourists and was greeted with a ceremonial water cannon saluteby Airport and Aviation Services (Sri Lanka) (Private) Limited (AASL).
Aitken Spence Travel manages the ground operations, while Tropical Aviation Services acts as the General Sales Agent (GSA).
Red Wings has scheduled operations through April 2026, with approximately 130 flights expected during the winter season.
Belavia Airlines (Belarus) Launches Direct Weekly Flights
Belavia – Belarusian Airlines, the national carrier of Belarus, also began direct weekly flights between Minsk and Mattala on the same day.
The inaugural Airbus A330-200 flight carrying 277 passengers touched down at 1:50 p.m., where it was ceremonially welcomed with a water cannon salute and traditional Kandyan dance performances.
The airline will operate every Tuesday, departing Minsk at 2:10 a.m. and arriving in Mattala at 2:00 p.m., with the return flight scheduled to depart at 4:00 p.m..
Belavia has received approval to operate until March 2026 and has expressed interest in extending its service depending on demand and seasonal performance.
Coordinated Effort to Strengthen Connectivity
The launch of these services follows a familiarization visit by a Belavia delegation in August 2025, organized with the assistance of Sri Lanka’s Embassy in Moscow. The initiative was coordinated by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Tourism, and AASL to strengthen ties with Eastern European aviation partners and expand direct flight access to Sri Lanka.
Both airlines’ decisions to operate from Mattala are seen as a testament to Sri Lanka’s growing appeal as a year-round destination for Russian and Eastern European travelers seeking tropical winter holidays.
Boost for Southern Tourism and Aviation
The addition of Red Wings and Belavia services represents a significant milestone in the government’s long-term plan to position Mattala as a regional aviation and tourism hub.
The flights are expected to bring thousands of visitors directly to the southern coast, supporting the hotel, transport, and service sectors across Hambantota, Tangalle, and Galle.
Industry analysts note that the timing aligns with Sri Lanka’s peak winter tourist season and will likely contribute to a surge in arrivals from Eastern Europe — a region that has shown steady growth in visitor numbers in recent years.
Looking Ahead
If these operations perform successfully, they may pave the way for additional carriers to consider Mattala as a viable gateway into Sri Lanka.
The expansion signals a broader effort to diversify the country’s air connectivity, reduce reliance on Bandaranaike International Airport, and distribute tourism benefits more evenly across regions.
As Sri Lanka seeks to strengthen its tourism recovery and attract high-value travelers, the arrival of Red Wings and Belavia at Mattala marks a promising start to the 2025–2026 winter season — and a renewed chapter for southern Sri Lanka’s aviation ambitions.
