Sri Lanka anticipates a tourism boost with 16,456 visitors expected from former Soviet states, including the Baltic and Poland, courtesy of SkyUp Airlines charter flights. Operating six flights per week to Mattala airport this winter season, the former ambassador estimates a potential $25 million revenue.
Estonia, with a population of 1.5 million, has already contributed around 1,100 tourists. The inaugural SkyUp flight, U5-9345, landed on December 20, signaling the beginning of a promising influx and economic opportunity for Sri Lanka.