Sri Lanka expands air connectivity after reopening its airports
We have now entered the third month of 2021 and while the world of hospitality remains muted: where COVID-19 knew no geographical or political boundaries, some activity in aviation has resumed in Sri Lanka.
An air travel bubble between Sri Lanka and India aimed at boosting tourism is in its final stage, as per the Tourism Minister Prasanna Ranatunga, going on to add that “Once completed and in force, tourist arrivals will pick up”.
India is the largest source for tourists for Sri Lanka, with 355,002 arrivals in 2019 Sri Lanka received 1,682 tourists in January, following the reopening of borders on 21st of January 2021. Of the total; there were 17 Indians as well. India has formed ‘air bubble’ agreements with over 10 countries including Maldives.
In this regard, Sri Lanka has submitted 11 travel destinations that the national carrier — Sri Lankan Airlines would like to operate in India. These destinations include; Chennai, Madurai, Coimbatore, Bangalore, Hyderabad, Trivandrum, Kochi, Mumbai, Delhi, Calcutta and Tiruchirappalli. At present, only two Sri Lankan Airlines cargo flights are operating to India.
Meanwhile, Emirates increased its services to Colombo from 4 to 6 weekly flights – with a 5th weekly flight commencing 18th February (every Thursday) and a 6th weekly flight commencing 27th February (every Saturday). Bahrain’s Gulf Air resumed its direct operations from mid- February with two weekly flights to Colombo. Dubai – based budget carrier Flydubai recommenced its twice-weekly flights to Colombo from 17th February. Kuwaiti-based Jazeera Airways started scheduled flights to Colombo while choosing Sri Lanka as their first new destination for the year.
Other airlines that boosted services to Colombo from last month, after Sri Lanka opened its borders for tourists include Air Astana and SCAT Airlines of Kazakhstan- with weekly scheduled flights to MRIA and the two airlines are expected to continue flying until April this year. Two airlines that had suspended flights to Sri Lanka due to the COVID-19 pandemic, namely Salam Air from Muscat, Oman, and, Thai Air Asia also restarted their operations. Furthermore, Dubai-based low-cost carrier, Air Arabia has announced plans to resume scheduled flights to BIA from March this year.
In its bid to support the recovery of the country’s tourism sector by attracting international airlines to fly to the island, the government extended waivers on landing and aircraft parking charges at Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) and at Mattala Rajapaksa International Airport (MRIA), applicable until 19th July 2021.
Hospitality Sri Lanka News
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