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| Saturday, 13 November 2004 |
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Martinair resumes flights to Colombo by Shirajiv Sirimane Sri Lanka aviation and the travel industry received yet another boost with leading Dutch airline Martinair, deciding to recommence their flights to Colombo. The inaugural flight touched down in Colombo last week and the airline would operate two flights a week on Thursday and Saturday leaving Colombo at 8 p. m. on both days and arriving at 4 a.m. the following day. A wide-bodied Boeing aircraft would be utilised for the flight and it would have a technical stop in Sharjah. The flight would offer 24 seats on the star and 248 in the economy class. According to Shani Goonetilleke, Assistant Sales Manager the flights would continue even after the winter season. "The airline has recognised Sri Lanka as a potential holiday destination and have pledged to continue with the route even during the off season," she said. The airline operated flights to Colombo last winter but cancelled the route last summer due to low traffic. "However, due to the projected increase of tourist arrivals to Sri Lanka expected to reach an all-time high due to the stability in the country and the peace process Martinair has decided to make Colombo a year round operation destination," she said. She said that they have had a very good response and already they are operating on a 75 percent seat factor. Passengers could also connect to over 350 destinations worldwide out of Amsterdam including Europe, Canada and USA. The local expatriate traffic and cargo to the Middle East too is very encouraging. "We are offering very competitive introductory rates to both destinations," she said. Over four decades ago a former Dutch airforce pilot J. Martin Schroder inaugurated 'Martin's Air Charter', carrying holiday-makers. In 1964 a number of shipping companies took a 50 percent share in Martinair. In 1966 'Martin's Air Charter' changed to 'Martinair Holland'. Carson Airline Services are the general sales agents for Martinair for the past four years and KLM and Northwest airlines. |
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