CLAUDE GUNASEKERA
COLOMBO ; Vietnam’s ultra-low-cost air carrier ‘Vietjet’ is scheduled to launch in Colombo in August this year.
The airline operates under a low-cost business model, offering basic “Eco” fares while providing premium options such as “SkyBoss” and “Business” class on select wide-body aircraft like the Airbus A330.
Its first direct international route will connect Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, and Colombo, Sri Lanka, said Mahen Kariyawasam Chairman, Andrew The Aviation Company (Pvt) Ltd, local representative for VietJet Air in Sri Lanka, which serves as the airline’s General Sales Agent (GSA).
Under the leadership of Kariyawasan, this company manages the airline’s operational hub in Colombo, facilitating passenger services, travel trade partnerships.
The establishment of the Colombo office and the appointment of the agent is part of VietJet Air’s strategic expansion into the Sri Lankan market, with direct flights between Colombo and Ho Chi Minh City expected to commence in August.
The new service will operate four return flights per week, serving as a strategic air bridge to foster tourism, trade, and investment between the two nations. This expansion is part of Vietjet’s broader effort to strengthen its connectivity across South Asia, complementing its existing extensive network of flights to major Indian hubs such as New Delhi, Mumbai, and Bengaluru.
The announcement was made official in May 2026 during a high-level meeting involving Vietnamese and Sri Lankan leadership, highlighting the route’s importance for regional cooperation across Southeast Asia and the Asia-Pacific.
Vietjet, founded in 2007 and officially launched its maiden flight on December 25, 2011. The carrier operates as a subsidiary of Sovico Holdings and has grown into a major regional player. The airline utilizes a fleet of modern Airbus aircraft to serve an extensive network spanning Southeast Asia, Central Asia, China, Japan, India, and Australia.
The airline is noted for its unique marketing strategies.
