Royal Spence Aviation, a partner company of Aitken Spence Travels, is preparing to welcome a new air connectivity link between Sri Lanka and Central Asia, as Uzbekistan-based Centrum Air introduces direct scheduled flights between Tashkent and Mattala Rajapaksa International Airport (MRIA) from 28 October 2026.
The service will operate twice a week, every Wednesday and Saturday, until the end of March 2027. The new route is expected to strengthen Sri Lanka’s international air connectivity while creating opportunities to attract visitors from emerging tourism markets across Central Asia.
Royal Spence Aviation, one of Sri Lanka’s leading airline representation companies, has facilitated the launch and been appointed as Centrum Air’s General Sales Agent (GSA) and Airport Supervision Agent. Centrum Air is a leading private airline headquartered in Tashkent and operates under Centrum Holding LLC.
The introduction of this service comes at a time when the global travel industry is experiencing significant changes due to geopolitical uncertainties and evolving travel preferences. The new connection is expected to support Sri Lanka’s efforts to diversify its tourism source markets, reach new visitor segments and strengthen its appeal as an international holiday destination beyond traditional markets.
Commenting on the development, Nalin Jayasundera, Managing Director of Aitken Spence Travels, said that the direct Tashkent–Mattala service represents an important milestone in expanding Sri Lanka’s tourism presence in emerging markets.
He highlighted the considerable untapped potential of Uzbekistan and the wider Central Asian region, noting that improved air connectivity would play a key role in transforming this potential into tangible tourism growth. He further emphasised that developing strategic connections with emerging markets is essential to strengthening the long-term resilience of Sri Lanka’s tourism industry amid changing global travel patterns.
Stasshani Jayawardena, Chairperson and Interim Managing Director of Aitken Spence PLC, also highlighted the importance of expanding international connectivity to enhance Sri Lanka’s tourism growth and competitiveness.
She noted that the new route would provide access to a promising emerging market while generating broader economic opportunities across the tourism value chain. Strengthening such international connections, she added, is vital to expanding Sri Lanka’s global reach and reinforcing its position as a highly sought-after travel destination.
Aitken Spence Travels Joins Forces with ZeroPlastic Movement to Promote Sustainable Tourism
Aitken Spence Travels has entered into an official partnership with the ZeroPlastic Movement through its “One Traveller, One Kilogram” initiative, further strengthening its commitment to promoting responsible tourism and environmental conservation in Sri Lanka.
The initiative is designed to make every qualifying traveller’s visit to the ZeroPlastic Impact Centre in Sigiriya a meaningful step towards tackling plastic pollution. Under the programme, each eligible visitor contributes to a commitment to remove one kilogram of plastic waste from Sri Lanka’s beaches, rivers, waterfalls and other natural environments. For every 300 qualifying visitors, the ZeroPlastic Movement pledges to remove a minimum of 300 kilograms of plastic waste through organised environmental clean-up programmes.
In addition to supporting environmental conservation, the ZeroPlastic Impact Centre provides visitors with hands-on experiences that highlight sustainable living and traditional craftsmanship. Activities include interactive craft workshops, coconut-shell creations and locally produced alternatives to plastic. These initiatives also help empower local artisans and their families by creating sustainable income-generating opportunities within surrounding communities.
Through this collaboration, Aitken Spence Travels plans to introduce the initiative to its travellers by including visits to the Impact Centre in suitable Sigiriya travel itineraries and encouraging guests to take part in its activities. To be eligible, visits must be registered and confirmed in advance, with each traveller required to participate in at least one qualifying activity, such as a paid craft workshop, product purchase or donation.
As recognition of their contribution, every qualifying visitor will receive a complimentary Personal Impact Acknowledgement from the Centre, confirming their commitment to the removal of one kilogram of plastic waste. The ZeroPlastic Movement will also maintain records of eligible visits and associated commitments. Aitken Spence Travels will receive an annual Verified Impact Certificate detailing traveller participation, the total kilograms committed and the actual volume of plastic waste removed.
The partnership further creates opportunities to promote locally manufactured products from the Centre. Aitken Spence Travels will receive a 20% commission on eligible purchases made by referred visitors, subject to the verification of sales and trip records.
This partnership marks another important milestone in integrating environmental responsibility into Sri Lanka’s tourism experiences. By encouraging travellers to engage with conservation initiatives while supporting local communities and traditional livelihoods, Aitken Spence Travels continues to advance responsible tourism and contribute towards a cleaner and more sustainable future for the country.
Centrum Air to Launch Direct Flights Linking Uzbekistan with Sri Lanka’s Mattala Airport
