The first Vision Air charter flight from Chisinau, the capital of Moldova, arrived at Mattala Rajapaksa International Airport today (27 December) at 4:20 p.m.
The flight, operated under number 4V-5363, brought 187 tourists to Sri Lanka. The Ministry of Tourism, together with Airport and Aviation Services Limited and Mattala Rajapaksa International Airport, organized a ceremonial welcome for the arriving passengers.
During the 2025–26 winter season, Vision Air has scheduled nine direct charter flights from Moldova to Mattala. This program is expected to attract approximately 1,500 tourists and generate around USD 2.25 million in foreign exchange earnings for Sri Lanka, said former Sri Lankan Ambassador to Ukraine, Udayanga Weeratunga.
Although all airports in Ukraine remain closed due to the ongoing military situation, the majority of Ukrainian tourists arrived on today’s flight via Chisinau, Moldova, a neighboring country. The flight was operated using a Boeing 737-800 aircraft of Ukraine’s SkyUp Airlines. Mr. Weeratunga noted that 15,411 tourists arrived in Sri Lanka via SkyUp Airlines during the 2024–25 winter season.
Mr. Weeratunga recalled that Mattala Rajapaksa International Airport, which had been used as a paddy storage facility during the Yahapalana government period, was reopened for international tourism operations on 28 December 2020. This reopening was facilitated by bringing Ukrainian tourists through Ukraine International Airlines and SkyUp Airlines following his direct intervention.
He further stated that Red Wings Airlines, which currently brings the highest number of tourists to Mattala, also commenced operations at the airport due to his direct involvement. According to Mr. Weeratunga, 173,949 Russian tourists arrived at Mattala through 448 direct Red Wings flights. He emphasized that allegations and travel restrictions imposed by the United States would not prevent him from continuing his services to Sri Lanka’s tourism sector.
The international tour operator Join UP organized tourist arrivals under this program, while Delux Holidays is providing ground handling and tourism services in Sri Lanka. The tourism agencies expressed their appreciation to the Sri Lankan government led by President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, as well as the management and staff of Mattala Rajapaksa International Airport, for their cooperation in making the operation successful.
Moldova, an Eastern European country, became independent in 1991 following the collapse of the Soviet Union and has a population of approximately 2.4 million.
