Colombo (LNW): “Thai Air Asia”, a joint venture of the Malaysian AirAsia and Thailand’s Asia Aviation, resumed operations from Bangkok (Don Mueang) to Colombo route on July 09, and the new service will operate four times a week, the Aviation and Aviation Services (Sri Lanka) Limited (AASL) said in a statement. The first flight arrived at the Katunayake Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) at 2200 Sunday (09) with 134 visiting passengers. They were warmly welcomed at the BIA upon their arrival with a traditional Sri Lankan dancing performance and “Ceylon Tea” gift packs. “Aviation and Aviation Services (Sri Lanka) Limited (AASL), is extremely happy to welcome the recommencement of scheduled flight operations by Thai Air Asia between the two countries with four flights per week, fostering not only tourism but also economic, social, and religious cooperation between Thailand and Sri Lanka. Thailand is an important source market for tourism in our country, and we are eager to strengthen this relationship further,” the statement said. Sri Lanka welcomed 2,072 Thai visitors in the 1H23, and the AASL said that they are optimistic that with the resumption of Thai Air Asia flight operations, the numbers will grow.