Direct Beijing–Colombo flights launched to boost connectivity

The Sri Lanka Embassy in Beijing, in collaboration with Beijing Capital Airlines, has organized a destination promotion event to announce the launch of direct flights between Beijing and Colombo, marking a significant step in strengthening air connectivity between the two capitals.

Congratulating Beijing Capital Airlines on expanding links between Beijing and Colombo, Sri Lanka’s Ambassador to China, Majintha Jayesinghe, highlighted the centuries-old bilateral relations between Sri Lanka and China. 

He underscored the importance of enhanced connectivity in line with the Joint Statement issued following the January 2025 meeting between President Xi Jinping and President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, aimed at further strengthening historic ties and people-to-people exchanges between the two countries.

Ambassador Jayesinghe noted that Sri Lanka is positioned as more than just a holiday destination, describing it as an exotic, experience-rich, year-round travel destination with warm and pleasant weather throughout the year. 

He emphasized that Sri Lanka, as a stand-alone destination, offers a unique blend of rich history, eight UNESCO World Heritage Sites, diverse landscapes, pristine beaches, dense forests and dramatic mountain ranges, inviting Chinese travelers to visit and explore the “Pearl of the Indian Ocean.”

President of Beijing Capital Airlines, Liu Jun, expressing his appreciation, said the new route marks an important milestone in expanding the airline’s South Asian network and further strengthening the Air Silk Route. He also pointed out that the service is the only direct flight connecting Northern China with Sri Lanka, serving as a key capital-to-capital air link.

The commencement of direct Beijing–Colombo flights is expected to bring substantial social and economic benefits to both countries. With economic and trade ties between Sri Lanka and China continuing to grow closer, the new service fills a long-standing gap in the aviation market and is set to further promote trade, tourism, cultural exchanges and people-to-people connectivity, while offering more convenient travel options for passengers.