Aitken Spence Travels welcomed the inaugural charter flight from Red Wings Airlines, a Russian regional leisure airline, that arrived at the Mattala Rajapaksa International Airport (MIRA) on the 29^th of December 2022. The flight is a Boeing 777 which is a long-range wide-body aircraft.

The 400 passengers who arrived on this flight are exclusive holiday makers of Aitken Spence Travels. They will be travelling, discovering and enjoying Sri Lanka across the southern coastal belt from Hambantota to Kalutara as well as other non-coastal areas. The tailor-made excursions offered by Aitken Spence Travels are designed to enable and enhance opportunities for the stakeholders in the tourism industry, including domestic suppliers and partners around the island.

Further, the Red Wings will be operating two flights per week for four months from Moscow to Sri Lanka till end April 2023.

Ms. Stasshani Jayawardena, Director Aitken Spence PLC and Head of Tourism and Leisure Sector of the diversified conglomerate commented about the flight saying ‘Making meaningful contributions to the development of our country through tourism is a priority for Aitken Spence and we are excited by the strategic interventions taken by Aitken Spence Travels that would undoubtedly put Sri Lanka on the map for many tourists for years to come. Our teams in the sector not only enhance economic opportunities by these targeted interventions but build the industry through specific engagements with local suppliers in the industry. We feel blessed to bid adieu to 2022 and commence 2023 on a positive note’.

Aitken Spence Travels has been at the forefront of marketing destination ‘Sri Lanka’ and Russia has always been one of the key source markets to Sri Lanka as well as for the company. Despite the current situation in Russia, the company continued to maintain its strong relationships with its agents and tour operators always reassuring the safety and comfort of visitors. Russian holiday makers have always been bold and enthusiastic when taking a holiday and the island paradise of Sri Lanka has had a way of making a place in their hearts. The company will take a lead in the visitor seats from ‘Sun and Fun’ tour operator for the inaugural flight and will be sharing the seats subsequently with Anex tours.

As the leading DMC in Sri Lanka, Aitken Spence Travels, has been powering the spirit of travel for 45 years. The number of tourists arriving will continue to grow due to the ongoing charter flight operations, and the ongoing cruise calls that will last until mid-2023. These confirmed numbers will be strengthened with the regular FIT and GIT passenger arrivals as well. This is promising for tourism in Sri Lanka, especially given that these arrival figures are confirmed for the next four months.

As an organization leading the way in inbound tourism, Aitken Spence Travels will continue to make significant efforts to promote destination Sri Lanka, with the ultimate goal of energizing tourism for a brighter future in Sri Lanka.