540 Polish Visitors Arrive in Sri Lanka in a Single Day

COLOMBO (News 1st);  Sri Lanka’s tourism season got off to a strong start on Friday as three special charter flights carrying nearly 540 passengers from Poland arrived at Bandaranaike International Airport, marking a significant boost for the country's efforts to attract more European visitors.

The flights, operated by Polish carrier Enter Air, landed in Katunayake within a span of just two hours, bringing holidaymakers eager to experience Sri Lanka's beaches, wildlife, culture and heritage during the peak travel season.

Each aircraft carried close to 180 passengers, including flight crew, making it one of the largest single-day arrivals of Polish tourists to the island in recent months.

To mark the occasion, the Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau organised a special welcome ceremony at the airport, where visitors were greeted with traditional cultural performances showcasing the country's rich heritage and vibrant customs.

The three flights originated from major Polish cities, further strengthening tourism links between Sri Lanka and one of Europe's growing outbound travel markets. Flight ENT 7607 arrived from Katowice at 7.40 a.m., followed by ENT 1913 from Poznan at 8.25 a.m. and ENT 1561 from Warsaw at 9.40 a.m.

The arrivals are part of a broader charter flight programme scheduled to continue until April 2027. Under the initiative, 42 charter flights are expected to operate between Poland and Sri Lanka, providing a steady flow of European tourists throughout the season.

Industry stakeholders view the expansion of direct charter services from Poland as a major opportunity to increase tourist arrivals from Europe at a time when Sri Lanka is seeking to strengthen its position as a preferred long-haul destination.

Tourism officials believe the continued operation of these flights will not only boost visitor numbers but also help raise Sri Lanka’s profile among European travellers, showcasing the island’s natural attractions, cultural landmarks and hospitality offerings to a wider audience.

The expected increase in tourist arrivals is also anticipated to contribute positively to foreign exchange earnings while creating opportunities across the hospitality sector, including hotels, restaurants, transport services, tour operators and other tourism-related businesses.

With 42 charter flights already planned through April next year, industry observers say the Poland-Sri Lanka air connection could play a key role in driving tourism growth during one of the most important periods for the country's travel sector.