Russian carrier Azur Air, the country's largest charter airline, which is affiliated with tour operator Anex Tour, will resume direct charter flights to Sri Lanka for the Winter 2026/2027 season, significantly expanding its route network. After a one-year break, flights will restart on 2 November 2026 and will now be available from eight Russian cities, including five new departure points.
Notably, Azur Air is not the only Russian carrier expanding to Sri Lanka. Aeroflot and S7 Airlines have also announced flights to the island this season – though both will serve Colombo (Bandaranaike International Airport), rather than Mattala – as Russian Travel Digest reported earlier this month.
All Azur Air flights will be operated on Boeing 767‑300 aircraft and will arrive at Mattala International Airport in Hambantota, the island's second-largest gateway on the southern coast. Following a recent renovation, the terminal features expanded waiting areas and additional check‑in counters, with convenient road access to popular southern beach resorts – Bentota, Weligama, Hikkaduwa, and Galle.
Start dates and frequencies for each city (all dates preliminary, subject to minor adjustments):
- Moscow – first flight on November 3, 2026, with 3 flights every 12 days
- Samara – first flight on November 2, 2026, with 1 flight every 12 days
- Tyumen – first flight on November 2, 2026, with 1 flight every 12 days
- Kazan – first flight on November 4, 2026, with 1 flight every 12 days
- Novosibirsk – first flight on November 6, 2026, with 1 flight every 12 days
- Yekaterinburg – first flight on November 7, 2026, with 2 flights every 12 days
- Mineralnye Vody – first flight on November 8, 2026, with 1 flight every 12 days
- Ufa – first flight on November 10, 2026, with 1 flight every 12 days
Moscow will enjoy the highest frequency (three rotations per 12‑day cycle), followed by Yekaterinburg (two). All other cities will have one flight every 12 days.
The three tour operators – Intourist, Fun & Sun, and Anex Tour – have taken blocks of seats on these flights and have already put tours with Azur Air departures on sale.
Photo by Irina Kurenkova for Russian Travel Digest
