SriLankan Airlines is planning to resume direct flights connecting Colombo, Sri Lalanka and Vishakhapatnam, India. The airline flew this route in 2017 for a year before terminating it due to restructuring.
The resumption of this route is a part of the airline’s global restructuring plan to tap the tourism potential in South India and Sri Lanka, the airline said in a statement.
Chnthaka Perera, Manager, SriLankan Airlines manager said: “We are resuming the Visakhapatnam-Colombo air services. In South India, our next destination is Visakhapatnam. Kolkata and Visakhapatnam have been listed in the global restructuring plan of our air services.”
Speaking about the global campaign Perera added: “Our global campaign, ‘Dil Full of Sri Lanka’, is gaining momentum and attracting tourists for destination weddings and cultural tourism. Our economy is now back on track. Religious tourism, including places associated with Hindu mythology, Buddhist sites, and wedding destinations in Sri Lanka are attracting more tourists from India.”
Currently, SriLankan Airlines is the largest foreign operator in India, offering services to 14 different destinations. The airline operates services to 42 different cities in 20 different countries.
SriLankan Airlines currently has an all-Airbus fleet of 24 aircraft with 12 A330s along with A320s and A321s. It is also speculated that the airline is planning to lease another five A320s and five A330s to meet demand.