SriLankan Airlines, the national carrier of Sri Lanka and a member of the prestigious oneworld alliance, in view of the growing demand for air connectivity between North India and Sri Lanka, is operating 4 additional weekly flights connecting Delhi with Colombo from July 4.
The weekly connection between the two cities has now increased to 18 flights a week. Addressing a press conference in New Delhi to announce the increase in the number of flights between the two countries SriLankan’s CEO also shared that the airline will look to operate flights to Calicut and Ahmedabad from Colombo from next year onwards.
India is one of the top three tourism generating markets for Sri Lanka and for the National Carrier, it has been the extended home market, where potential expansion opportunities are constantly explored to facilitate more travellers who seek to experience Sri Lanka and beyond.
SriLankan Airlines, Chief Executive Officer, Vipula Gunatilleka said, “ The latest connectivity enhancement comes into effect as result of the consistent growth in traffic flow from North India in Sri Lanka. Within a span of four years from 2015 to 2019, the Airline has increased frequencies from daily flights to double daily flights, leading to this addition. SriLankan Airlines has been operating to New Delhi since 1993 and we are pleased to reach out to more customers in this manner, thereby inviting them to discover Sri Lanka and the rest of our global network.”
North India is one of the biggest growth markets for SriLankan Airlines, owing to the avid interest shown by the travellers on the immersive aspects of Sri Lanka, which include but not limited to the vibrant culture, wildlife and exotic getaways and the country’s stature as an ideal setting for MICE travel.
SriLankan Airlines, with its extensive connectivity strength, has been the market leader, facilitating a large number of travellers into Sri Lanka as well as those seeking connections to the Airlines’ popular destinations such as Melbourne, London, Singapore, Kuala Lumpur, Bangkok and Seychelles. Additionally, the National Carrier also caters to pilgrim tourists from Sri Lanka who embark on Buddhist trails.
Accordingly, the first flight of the day departs New Delhi at 0515 hrs to arrive in Colombo at 0845 hrs, offering travellers intending to discover Sri Lanka, the much needed early start.
The second flight arrives in Colombo at 2220 hrs, offering convenient connections to Melbourne, Singapore, Kuala Lumpur and Bangkok.
The newly introduced third frequency which departs New Delhi at 2330hrs on Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday to arrive in Colombo at 0300 hrs the following day offers travellers seamless onward connectivity to Melbourne, Singapore, Kuala Lumpur, Bangkok, Jakarta and Gan Island.