Air Astana officially commenced operations to Sri Lanka for the winter 2024/2025 season, with its inaugural flight arriving at Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) on Monday.

The first flight was welcomed with a celebratory water cannon salute organized by Airport and Aviation Services (Sri Lanka) Limited (AASL) upon arrival.

Passengers and crew were also greeted with a traditional Kandyan dance performance, coordinated by the Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau.

Air Astana, Kazakhstan’s flagship carrier, will operate four weekly flights between Kazakhstan and Colombo. (Newswire)

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Cabinet approval has been granted to sign the delayed Bilateral Air Services Agreement between Sri Lanka and Kazakhstan. 

In May 2013, Cabinet approval was received to sign an Air Service Agreement between the aeronautical authorities of the two countries for the development of air services between Sri Lanka and Kazakhstan. 

According to the government, however, it has not yet been possible to sign the said airline agreement. 

Under the proposed Air Services Agreement, it is expected to operate 7 flights per week from any point in Sri Lanka to Astana and/or Almaty in Kazakhstan along the specified route. 

As such, the Cabinet of Ministers has approved the proposal presented by the Minister of Ports, Shipping and Aviation to sign the Air Service Agreement agreed upon by both parties. (Newswire)

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Cabinet approval has been granted for the establishment of a Sri Lankan Embassy in Astana, Kazakhstan.

The government has identified the need to establish a Sri Lankan Embassy in Astana, Kazakhstan in order to further develop the existing diplomatic relations between the two nations. 

A great opportunity has been created for Sri Lanka to connect with the Central Asian region due to the establishment of the Conference on Interaction and Confidence Building Measures in Asia (CICA) in Kazakhstan and Sri Lanka being a member of the conference. 

As there is a significant increase in tourist arrivals from Kazakhstan to Sri Lanka, the establishment of a Sri Lankan embassy in Astana will help further promote tourism and cultural cooperation between the two countries, the government said.

As such, the Cabinet approved the proposal presented by the Minister of Foreign Affairs to establish the proposed Sri Lankan Embassy in Astana, Kazakhstan. (NewsWire)

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SCAT Air, Kazakhstan’s largest carrier, will commence operations to Sri Lanka in March 2023, the Civil Aviation Authority of Sri Lanka (CAASL) stated. 

The CAASL stated that SCAT air will operate flights to the Mattala Rajapaksa International Airport in Hambantota from Almaty, Kazakhstan.

The Civil Aviation Authority of Sri Lanka further stated that it has granted approval for charter flights to operate at Mattala airport.

The CAASL stated that thereby, SCAT Air will connect Mattala and Almaty once a week from 05th March 2023. (NewsWire)

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