Minister of Tourism, Hon. Prasanna Ranatunga said that 32 airlines around the world are currently flying to Sri Lanka and four new airlines are in talks with Sri Lanka to launch new flights to Sri Lanka.

The Air France Airline and a Middle East airline have agreed to launch flights to Sri Lanka soon and have agreed to launch such flights covering the Katunayake Bandaranaike International Airport as well as the Mattala International Airport. Meanwhile, Oman Airlines owned Salam Airlines is also in talks with Mattala International Airport to resume flights.

 In addition, Cinnamon Airlines has agreed to launch flights covering domestic airports throughout Sri Lanka. Under the new program, steps will be taken to increase the passenger capacity of Sri Lanka's airports by creating positive competition by making Sri Lanka a hub in the aviation industry. It is expected to increase the number of flights in line with the worldwide tourism promotion campaign to revive the island's tourism industry.

Minister of Tourism, Hon. Prasanna Ranatunga is confident that with the expansion of aviation with countries around the world, the number of tourists arriving in the island in the near future will exceed one thousand per day.