Sri Lanka Tourism marked yet another milestone with the arrival of an important flight from Kazakhstan — a pleasant Christmas surprise, as the aircraft landed on December 25th itself. The special flight was operated by Air Astana, the national carrier of Kazakhstan, in collaboration with LSR as the ground handler.

This inaugural flight for the 2025/2026 winter season carried 166 passengers aboard an Airbus A321. Air Astana will continue operations until March 2026, with two weekly flights (Monday and Thursday) connecting Almaty, the capital of Kazakhstan, to Bandaranaike International Airport, Colombo.

The arrival was celebrated with a traditional water salute, creating a spectacular sight for passengers and crew. They were further delighted by Sri Lanka’s trademark hospitality — greeted warmly and escorted through a vibrant cultural dance troupe, which showcased the island’s rich traditions and colorful heritage. Souvenirs were presented to mark the occasion, leaving visitors with a lasting impression of Sri Lanka as a welcoming paradise.

Sri Lanka Tourism emphasized that the country offers a 365-day destination experience, where diverse travel opportunities can be enjoyed within a single day’s journey. This accessibility and variety provide exceptional value for international visitors.

Kazakhstan, as part of the East European region, is now recognized as an emerging market for Sri Lanka. Arrivals such as these will help spread Sri Lanka’s uniqueness as a premier travel destination across the region, beyond its traditional source markets.

From January 1st to December 25th,2025, Sri Lanka recorded 2,298,987 tourist arrivals, underscoring the strong recovery and superb impact of tourism on the nation’s economy.