Sri Lanka (Commonwealth Union)_ SriLankan Airlines is embarking on an ambitious expansion plan with a particular focus on the state of Kerala, India. The airline is set to introduce an additional flight to Thiruvananthapuram as part of its upcoming winter schedule. Currently, it operates six weekly flights from Thiruvananthapuram and ten from Kochi. Moreover, SriLankan Airlines is exploring the possibility of commencing services from Kozhikode airport, depending upon aircraft availability. V Ravindran, the regional manager responsible for India, Bangladesh, and Nepal, conveyed that the airline is actively pursuing an expansion strategy, which entails launching more flights to various destinations across India.
Kerala holds a prominent place in this strategy due to the significant number of travelers from the state to Sri Lanka, driven largely by its affordability, offering budget-friendly hotels and accommodations. Sri Lanka, in comparison to other countries, including the Maldives, provides attractive travel packages with better destinations, attracting a steady stream of passengers from Kerala. As a result, SriLankan Airlines has prioritized expanding its operations in Kerala, with plans to inaugurate an additional service from Thiruvananthapuram during the winter season.
Ravindran also emphasized the substantial business potential that the Vizhinjam port presents, particularly in enhancing air cargo connectivity between Colombo and Thiruvananthapuram in the future. Notably, there has been a notable surge in passenger traffic from India to Sri Lanka over the past seven months, signifying Sri Lanka’s growing appeal as a favorable tourist destination for Indian travelers, especially those hailing from Kerala. In its efforts to bolster air connectivity between Thiruvananthapuram and Colombo, Sri Lankan Airlines has appointed Sandun Jayasinghe as an area manager in Thiruvananthapuram.
Furthermore, Ravindran revealed that the Sri Lankan government is engaged in discussions with several private airlines, including Tata, Adani, and Emirates, regarding the potential privatization of the national carrier. The airline had sought the support of Thiruvananthapuram airport for refueling and technical landings during the crisis in Sri Lanka last year. Ravindran reported that conditions in Sri Lanka are gradually returning to normalcy, leading to a resurgence in the airline’s business activities. Established in 1979, SriLankan Airlines is presently in an expansion phase, diversifying its range of products and services to capitalize on the surging tourism and economic growth in the country.
The airline’s operational hub is situated at Bandaranaike International Airport in Colombo, facilitating seamless connections to its extensive global route network spanning 112 destinations in 58 countries. Employing around 6,000 individuals in Sri Lanka and abroad, SriLankan Airlines places a strong emphasis on training programs across various aviation-related fields to cater to its expansion needs and meet the high demand for skilled personnel in the aviation sector.
