High demand for Mihin Lanka seats from Dubai

Shirajiv Sirimane

DUBAI: There is a growing demand for Mihin Lanka seats from Dubai to Sri Lanka, Managing Director of Frico International UAE Gamini Kannangara said.

The general sales agent for Mihin Lanka, Sri Lanka’s first low cost airline, he said one of the main attractions of the airline is the low cost in airfare and also safe and reliable air travel.

“Mihin Lanka also operates four times a week and the fact that it is taking off from UAE’s business hub Dubai has also created an additional demand. Mihin Lanka offers the lowest airfare to Sri Lanka from UAE,” he said.

He said the quick turnaround time of 45 minutes is another advantage for the airlines.

When the announcement was made that Mihin Lanka was to fly to Dubai Frico conducted several promotions at the, Dubai Global Village exhibition and it proved to be very productive. As soon as the airline was introduced last month it was operating with a 40 percent seat factor and today it has increased to almost 60 percent.

June to August is the holiday season in UAE where many UAE residents go overseas with holidays for their housemaids. “When this season starts we expect the flights to be operating with over 90 percent seat factor,” he said.

The airline hopes to operate to two other destinations in Trichy and Trivandrum soon and this would create an additional market for the airline.

“There would be many Indian workers based in UAE who would like to fly to Colombo and then take the connecting flight to the Indian destination,” he said.

The airline hopes to lease out additional aircraft for these operations.

With the promotions done by Sri Lanka at the recently concluded Arabian Travel Mart in Dubai there is a growing demand for Sri Lanka as a destination. “We have already contacted two leading hotel chains in Sri Lanka to launch special one week tour packages for UAE,” he said. Mihin Lanka would be offering a 30-kilo baggage allowance for their passengers.

“In addition we would be providing a snack and tea or coffee to its passengers,” he said. Providing food is something novel for a low cost airline.

Mihin Lanka a fully owned Government enterprise was established to provide and promote affordable air travel to all whilst offering an efficient and professional service.

A Bulgarian crew is piloting the aircraft while 50 percent of the cabin crew is also Bulgarians and the balance Sri Lankans.