SriLankan expands global route network

SriLankan Airlines continues to expand its global route network, with increases in capacity starting in March to Karachi, Bahrain, Doha and Muscat, and the launch of a daily service to Kochi.

SriLankan increased capacity across its network in support of Lanka's rapidly expanding tourism industry which is enjoying good times following the permanent end to a 30-year war. Tourist arrivals grew by 46 percent in 2010.

SriLankan's Worldwide Sales Head Mohamed Fazeel said global travellers have once again discovered Sri Lanka and SriLankan Airlines is expanding services around the world as rapidly as possible to spur on this boom. "We are also acquiring more aircraft while upgrading our product and services to give passengers the most delightful experience on board," he said.

The increase in capacity is in the Middle East, with the present flights to Bahrain, Doha and Muscat being delinked and operating as direct non stop flights from Colombo to each city.

SriLankan will also add a fifth frequency to Karachi.

The Airlines seventh destination in India, Kochi services recommenced from March 27. This will increase SriLankans flights to India up to 63 per week. The other destinations are Chennai, Mumbai, Trichy, New Delhi, Bangalore, and Trivandrum.

SriLankan earlier served Kochi from 2003, but temporarily suspended the service in 2009 during the global economic crisis causing a worldwide slump in air travel.