Bahrain welcomes Mihin Lanka flight

Monday, 10 September 2012 01:20 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

The Bahrain Airport Company (BAC) recently welcomed the inaugural flight of Sri Lanka-based low-cost airline, Mihin Lanka, to the kingdom.

The new milestone of Mihin Lanka, an airline 100 per cent owned by the government of Sri Lanka, is a reflection of its progressively growing operations, a statement from BAC said. The ceremony was attended by top officials of BAC, Mihin Lanka, airport and government officials.

Mihin Lanka’s commercial flight service, using its Airbus fleet between Sri Lanka and Bahrain, is expected to bolster tourism and commercial ties between the two countries.

Mohamed Khalil, the Vice President of Commercial and Marketing, Bahrain Airport Company (BAC), said: “The inaugural flight of Mihin Lanka to Bahrain has further strengthened the kingdom’s position as an emerging hub for airlines in the Mena region.”

“Bahrain international Airport will remain committed in providing its services to all airlines and passengers at the airport as we endeavour in promoting airline success and leading partnership initiatives going forward, and we welcome the latest addition of Mihin Lanka.”

Mihin Lanka will initially operate five flights a week to Bahrain, he said.

Prior to adding Bahrain to its network, Mihin Lanka which has been operating since April 2007, flew to seven destinations – Trichy, Gaya and Varanasi in the Indian sub-continent, Dubai and Sharjah in the Middle East and Dhaka and Jakarta in the Far East.

“Together with our code share partner SriLankan Airlines, Mihin will provide convenient connections to destinations in India, Far East and other destinations,” Captain Pujitha Jayakody, Director of Flight Operations and Training for Mihin Lanka, said.

Mihin Lanka currently operates an all Airbus fleet and has plans to expand further with the introduction of its third aircraft expected in November as well as adding flights to Madurai, Delhi and Kathmandu during the winter schedule.

“We are pleased to partner with Bahrain International Travel (BIT) as our General Sales Agent in Bahrain with effect from 1 August,” Capt. Pujitha added.