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Wednesday, 21 November 2012 00:01 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}
SriLankan Airlines will operate double-daily (14 weekly) flights to Trivandrum via Colombo, with effect from 22 November.
This marks the second increase in frequency to the capital city of Kerala in India, in recent months.
Asia – the Indian Sub-Continent combined with the Far East – represents the major portion of Sri Lanka’s inbound and outbound traffic. As a result, the two regions have become fundamental to the airline’s growth strategy for the immediate future, with Colombo operating as the main hub in the facilitation of traffic to and from these regions, and linking them to the rest of the world.
Head of Worldwide Sales at SriLankan Lal Perera said: “Our aim is to offer better travel options to our valued passengers. In support of this goal and the growing traffic to India from Sri Lanka and the rest of the world, we will continue to strengthen our services to those travelling along this route. ”
The increase in frequency to Trivandrum is expected to enhance connectivity across SriLankan’s global network, and particularly for its South Indian customers from the state of Kerala. With 28 weekly flights, split equally between Trivandrum and Kochi, people working in the Middle East travelling to and out of Kerala via Colombo, will enjoy significantly improved connections, quick transfers and saving on time spent in transit. The double daily flights to Kochi, and now Trivandrum, will also benefit passengers from Kanyakumari and Nagercoil in neighbouring Tamil Nadu.
“What we envisage for our passengers is a great travel experience, and convenience goes a long way. This increase will certainly enhance travel for our customers travelling to and out of India,” added SriLankan Regional Manager for Middle East and Africa Samantha Nagahawatte.
Convenience, however, is not the only benefit SriLankan has on offer to its passengers from Kerala. At nominal fees, they can obtain an extra block of 10 kilograms or 15 kilograms of excess baggage at their city offices or extend their journey to destinations in the Far East and Male. They may also opt for a free stopover in Colombo en route to their final destination.
At present SriLankan operates a total 46 direct flights a week to Colombo out of Abu Dhabi; Dubai; Doha; Muscat; Dammam; Riyadh; Jeddah and Kuwait, carrying a substantial number of through passengers to destinations in India, Maldives and the Far East.
With the increase in frequency, the segment of passengers travelling to India will have a choice of 91 weekly flights to seven Indian destinations to pick from. SriLankan has direct operations to Bangalore, Chennai, Delhi, Kochi, Mumbai, Trichy, and Trivandrum. The airline’s full network spans 64 destinations in 35 countries worldwide.
The airline operates an all Airbus fleet consisting of A320, A330 and A340 aircraft to India, which include brand new A320s furnished with luxurious interior, leather seats and the latest state-of-the-art Panasonic EFX inflight entertainment systems in all Business and Economy Class seats.
