COLOMBO : Vietnam Airlines marked a significant milestone today in strengthening air connectivity between Vietnam and Sri Lanka with the launch of its direct flight service from Tan Son Nhat International Airport in Ho Chi Minh City to Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) in Colombo. The first flight was welcomed in Colombo with an official ceremony at BIA, attended by key representatives from the aviation, tourism, and diplomatic sectors.
The newly launched service will operate three weekly flights, providing more convenient access between the two destinations. It is expected to support tourism growth, facilitate business travel, and further strengthen bilateral ties.
Vietnam continues to be one of Sri Lanka’s important tourism source markets, and the introduction of direct flights by Vietnam Airlines comes at a timely moment as Sri Lanka’s tourism sector continues its recovery and expansion.
Advantis – Aviation Services, a subsidiary of Hayleys PLC, has been the General Sales Agent (GSA) for Vietnam Airlines in Sri Lanka since 2019, representing the airline as an offline carrier. The partnership has now reached a significant milestone with the launch of Vietnam Airlines’ direct online operations to Sri Lanka. As a leading travel and aviation services provider, Advantis brings extensive market expertise, a well-established distribution network, and proven capabilities to support the airline’s successful expansion and growth in the Sri Lankan market.
The commencement of Vietnam Airlines’ direct operations to Colombo further strengthens Sri Lanka’s international aviation landscape, offering travellers greater choice and enhanced connectivity. The service is expected to stimulate inbound tourism from Vietnam while providing Sri Lankan travellers with seamless access to Vietnam and onward destinations through the airline’s extensive network.
Highlighting the broader significance of the new connectivity, Her Excellency Trinh Thi Tam, Ambassador of Vietnam to Sri Lanka, stated, “The launch of direct flights by Vietnam Airlines is of great significance. It is an opportunity to bring our two countries closer, facilitate tourism, trade and investment, and create more opportunities for people-to-people exchanges.”
Commenting on the occasion, Ruwan Waidyaratne, Managing Director of Advantis Group, said, “Today’s inaugural flight marks the beginning of scheduled operations and reflects the strength of a partnership that has grown steadily over the past several years. We are excited about this new chapter in connectivity between Vietnam and Sri Lanka.”
With the launch of the direct service, Vietnam Airlines and Advantis – Aviation Services look forward to building on the opportunities created by the new connectivity and further developing the route as a gateway for stronger commercial and tourism ties between Vietnam and Sri Lanka.
