Sri Lankan Airlines is looking to expand its operations in India, including the state of Odisha, as the island nation recovers from the economic crisis caused by the pandemic. V Ravindran, the regional manager of Sri Lankan Airlines for India, Bangladesh, and Nepal, stated that the carrier is aiming to restore its pre-pandemic frequency and add more destinations, especially in India.
Before the pandemic, Sri Lankan Airlines operated at 11 destinations in India. Currently, it serves nine destinations after discontinuing flights to Kolkata and Coimbatore. The airline plans to recommence operations to those places and also add Ahmedabad, Calicut, Goa, Odisha, and other lucrative markets.
At present, Sri Lankan Airlines operates 83 flights a week to major Indian cities such as Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Cochin, Trivandrum, Chennai, Madurai, and Trichy. The carrier has a strong presence in Southeast Asia and also operates flights to destinations in Europe and the Middle East.
Ravindran acknowledged that the airline is currently constrained by the number of aircraft available but expressed a desire to bring back its pre-pandemic frequency, which was more than 110 flights a week in India. Sri Lankan Airlines has recommenced nearly 80% of its flights with 83 flights a week and is actively seeking new destinations to increase revenue.
The Sri Lankan government and the Sri Lankan Tourism Promotion Bureau have introduced various initiatives to attract more tourists to the country. Tourism is a crucial source of foreign exchange reserves for Sri Lanka, and efforts are being made to promote the country as a tourist destination worldwide.
Ravindran emphasized the close relationship between India and Sri Lanka, citing religious and cultural similarities that can contribute to boosting tourism between the two countries. While Odisha is a prominent market in eastern India, the carrier has not yet announced a specific timeline for launching flights to the state.
As a significant player in the aviation industry, Sri Lankan Airlines aims to expand its reach and restore its operations to pre-pandemic levels. With a focus on India, the airline is optimistic about the potential of the Indian market and is actively working towards adding more destinations to its network, including the state of Odisha.
