Aeroflot returns to crisis-hit Sri Lanka after spat

Russia’s national carrier Aeroflot returned to crisis-hit Sri Lanka on Monday, ending a four-month suspension after one of its aircraft was seized in Colombo.

Before it invaded Ukraine, Russia was the Indian Ocean island’s biggest source of visitors and tourism minister Harin Fernando welcomed the resumption of direct Moscow-Colombo services as a much-needed boost to the bankrupt island’s hospitality industry.

“This is good news,” he said, adding that he hoped tourists “from Russia’s neighbouring countries” would also use the twice-weekly service.

Many international airlines have scaled down services to Sri Lanka this year with demand falling and a shortage of aviation fuel in Colombo.  

Aeroflot stopped flights in June after a court ordered its Airbus A330 seized over a commercial dispute with an Irish company.