Mihin Lanka’s first Airbus arrives at BIA

COLOMBO: Mihin Lanka, the Government-owned budget airline, will start operations by end March, Aviation Ministry sources said yesterday. Mihin Lanka’s first 161-seater Airbus A320 arrived at the BIA on Tuesday.

The airline will initially fly to regional destinations, including the Middle East and India. This will give an opportunity to foreign job seekers and pilgrims to fly to their destinations at a much lower cost. The airline will expand flight frequencies and the fleet in line with the demand.

Mihin Lanka has secured all licenses and other requirements to operate international flights and flight crews are already undergoing advanced training, officials said. The flight schedule will be announced soon.

A Mihin Lanka Fokker aircraft flew to India’s southern city of Thiruvananthapuram from the Bandaranaike International Airport early this month on its first international flight.

With SriLankan, Mihin Lanka, Air India, Air India Express, Indian Airlines, Air Sahara and Jet Air operating flights to India, there would be over 250 flights from Colombo to Indian destinations per week.