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Emirates will resume services between Dubai and Sri Lanka from Thursday (27th) following the lowering of insurance rates levied on each aircraft landing at Colombo's Bandaranaike International Airport, an Emirates press release states.

The decision announced yesterday (20) came a day after services were suspended due to a four-fold increase in the insurance rates.

Mike Simon, Director Corporate Communications said in the statement: "We are grateful to the Sri Lankan Government for the efforts it has made to bring about this insurance rate reduction. "Obviously, we are pleased that this has allowed us to resume services for our customers and to continue to promote Sri Lanka together with our equity partner SriLankan Airlines, across Emirates' network."

From September 27th to October 27th Emirates will fly four times a week between Colombo and Dubai operating with Airbus A310-300 aircraft.

Services from Colombo every Monday, Wednesday and Friday EK815 will be routed via the Maldives capital, Male. The incoming flights (EK 814) on Sunday, Tuesday and Thursday are also routed via Male. Another Monday service from Dubai EK 810 will fly non-stop to Colombo and be routed via Male for the return leg.

Meanwhile Board of Airline Representatives of Sri Lanka said in a statement that the insurance premium has reverted to the original surcharged level (August 2001 level) and Gulf Air and Emirates have since decided to resume operations shortly.

The surcharge collected by airlines from passengers since August 2001 will regrettably have to continue. This surcharge may differ from airline to airline as the levy imposed on the airline is based on age and type of aircraft etc. It should be emphasised, however, that the surcharge only partially off-sets the additional levy imposed on the airlines. Needless to say this surcharge will be withdrawn as soon as the insurers withdraw the war risk insurance completely," the release added. 

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