Sri Lanka welcomed a special Air Astana flight from Kazakhstan on 25th of December , marking the start of the 2025/2026 winter travel season. The inaugural Airbus A321 flight carried 166 passengers from Almaty to Bandaranaike International Airport in Colombo.
The arrival was marked by a traditional water salute and a cultural dance performance, showcasing Sri Lanka’s renowned hospitality and rich cultural heritage. Air Astana is scheduled to operate two flights per week on this route until March 2026.
Sri Lanka Tourism highlighted the island’s appeal as a year-round destination offering a wide range of experiences. With 2,298,987 tourist arrivals recorded by December 25, 2025, Kazakhstan is emerging as an important source market for Sri Lanka’s growing tourism industry.
