SriLankan Airlines returns to Rome

SriLankan Airlines has announced its return to the fabled city of Rome from December 3, 2008, its first new destination since the management of the National Carrier changed hands last April.

The Colleseum in Rome

The addition of new destinations to its route network is one of several steps in SriLankan Airlines’ prudent plan to transform itself. Since April, the airline successfully weathered the challenge of high fuel prices by increasing operational efficiencies across the board.

Regional Manager UK, Europe, and Americas Kaushal Seneviratne, said:

“This service will be extremely beneficial to the large population of Sri Lankans in Italy, and also for pilgrimages to Rome by Sri Lanka’s Catholic community.”

The National Carrier is closely supporting the Government’s plans and policies to revive tourism and investment.

SriLankan Airlines and Sri Lanka Tourism are also focusing on bringing increased numbers of Italian tourists to Sri Lanka, which has traditionally been a popular destination among European tourists.

The new thrice-weekly service, which will be operated on Airbus A340 widebodied aircraft, will take the route Colombo-Rome-Paris-Rome-Colombo, on Wednesday, Friday, and Sunday. The flight to Colombo will be of 10 hours duration from Rome.

With the addition of Rome, SriLankan will have a network of 45 destinations in 25 countries across Europe, the Middle East, the Indian Subcontinent, and the Far East.