SriLankan gets new A 330 aircraft

Sanjeevi JAYASURIYA

The newly acquired SriLankan Airlines wide body A 330 Airbus embarked its inaugural flight to Madras commencing commercial operations yesterday.

The aircraft was acquired on five year lease basis and another craft will be added to the fleet by the end of this year. SriLankan Airline plans to acquire more aircraft and to increase destinations in the near future, SriLankan Airlines Chairman Nishantha Wickramasignhe told Daily News Business.

This is the first wide body aircraft acquired by SriLankan in six years time. It has 18 flat beds in its business class section. The acquisition will facilitate the new destination such as the fourth destination in China. The national carrier will provide connectivity where it is necessary, he said. Sri Lankan will be looking at increasing its destinations to tap Russia, Japan, India and Middle East markets, which will also support tourism sector development.

The country will be branded and marketed efficiently to promote as a preferred destination as that will mutually benefit the airline and tourism industries. The airline plans to build an airport hotel to cater to high-end market which will be operated by SriLankan Catering Service.SriLankan will be working with couple of investors to set up this boutique hotel of international standards. The hotel is expected to be ready by end of next year.

The airline will be open 24 airport restrooms within two weeks to provide facilities to travellers and guests of other airlines.

This facility focuses on different target groups will enable passengers to have a comfortable place to stay before embarking on the flight.