AVIATION

Ukraine Airline commences flights to Colombo

AeroSvit Ukraine Airline will commence flights between Kyiv and Colombo in the near future strengthening of air services between two countries.

This was revealed during a discussion held between the General Director of AeroSvit Airlines Alexander Avdeev and Minister of Civil Aviation Piyankara Jayaratne during a recent visit of Minister to Kyiv, Ukraine.

The General Director appreciated the signing of Bilateral Agreement on air services between Sri Lanka and Ukraine, which would immensely benefit the aviation industry in both countries.

He further revealed that AeroSvit Company will increase the frequency of flights 2 to 3 per week considering the number of tourists travelling to Sri Lanka from Ukraine.

He also mentioned the company exploring the possibility of operating daily flights between the two countries.

Through this tourism industry and economy of Sri Lanka will immensely benefit.

The Minister explained the facilities provided to the tourist arriving in Sri Lanka and also the infrastructural development taking place to achieve the goal of attracting 2 million tourists to Sri Lanka in year 2016. He also thanked the Aviation Industry of Ukraine for mark increment of Ukrainian tourists to country.

The General Director of the Company, AeroSvit promised to provide all technical and non-technical facilities to SriLankan airlines if the airline commences flights to Borispol Internal Airport in Kyiv.

He also stated that the company is willing to commence flights to Europe in collaboration with SriLankan Airlines. Appreciating the offer Minister Jayaratne stated that the matter will be discussed with the Government and the National carrier and agreed to make necessary arrangements in the near future.

The Ambassador of Sri Lanka to Russia (Concurrence accredited to Ukraine) Udayanga Weeratunga and Dhammika Attygalle adviser to Minister of Civil Aviation of Sri Lanka also attended the meeting.

Jet from Thiruvananthapuram to Sharjah

Jet Airways, India’s premier international airline, will commence daily flights from Thiruvananthapuram to Sharjah from October 30, 2011.

The airline currently operates a daily flight from Kochi to Sharjah and the addition of another daily service will further enhance its growing International network. This will be the tenth daily service from India to the United Arab Emirates and the twenty-second Jet Airways flight from India to the Gulf.

Flight 9W 570 will depart Thiruvananthapuram at 1015 hours local time (LT) and arrive in Sharjah at 1240 hours (LT). The return flight 9W 569 will depart Sharjah at 1340 hours (LT), arriving in Thiruvananthapuram at 1900 hours (LT).

The airline will deploy its state-of-the-art Boeing 737-800 aircraft on this new route, offering 16 Premiere and 138 Economy seats. Guests will be offered best-in-its-class product, which boasts of warm service, award winning in-flight entertainment, as well as delectable cuisine. Jet Airways currently operates to 24 International destinations.

With this additional flight between India and Sharjah, business customers of Jet Airways would be able to enjoy a wide choice of timings throughout the day between India and United Arab Emirates. The flights are conveniently timed to connect with Jet Airways’ industry-leading domestic network and its fast-growing network to SAARC/ASEAN points.

The introduction of the new flight will further strengthen Jet Airways presence in the United Arab Emirates. Jet Airways Gulf network now serves 10 destinations in the Middle Eastern region.

CEO, Jet Airways, Nikos Kardassis, said, “Jet Airways has established itself as a prominent brand in the intensely competitive Indo-Gulf sector for its service and quality of its in-flight product. We are confident that the new service from Thiruvananthapuram to Sharjah will prove immensely popular with our guests. We believe that this new route has the potential to serve the needs of our corporate and business travelers, especially from the South.”

India Aviation

Special grand prix package from Singapore Airlines

The 2011 Formula 1 Singtel Singapore Grand Prix with its signature mix of lights, glamour, and non-stop action, returns to the heart of the city at the Marina Bay Street Circuit from 23 to 25 September and Singapore Airlines will offer special Economy Class and Business Class all-inclusive packages to Formula 1 fans in Sri Lanka to witness Asia’s biggest sporting and entertaining event.

The Formula 1 race in Singapore with an extensive S$ 5 million entertainment line-up, the Marina Bay Street Circuit will be the toast of Singapore this September! World-renowned artistes such as Linkin Park, Shakira, Charice and Shaggy are set to wow audiences with their dynamic performances, while retro fever will kick off with legendary showman Rick Astley and the ever-flamboyant Boy George! The “Mambo Jambo” experience will be an unforgettable moment for clubbing fans to dance in perfect synchrony to songs such as Bananarama’s “Love In The First Degree”, Jason Donovan’s “Too Many Broken Hearts” and Rick Astley’s “Together Forever”.

Singapore Airlines offers an exclusive packages on both economy and business Class at competitive rates which includes return air fare on Economy or Business Class, associated taxes and surcharges, hotel accommodation for three nights on twin-sharing basis inclusive of breakfast, airport-hotel return transfers and Zone 4 Walkabout pass to the Formula 1 Singapore.

Zone 4 Walkabout pass holders have the added benefit of catching the exciting race drama up-close and watch many different perspectives of the challenging twists and turns of the Marina Bay Street Circuit throughout the three days.

Customers purchasing the Singapore Airlines package for the Formula 1 race in Singapore will stand a chance to win a pair of exclusive upgrades to Business Class on Singapore Airlines, along with tickets to the Green Room Suite valued at over Rs 750,000 in a lucky draw.

The offer is valid till September 16, 2011, for travel out of Colombo by September 23, 2011.

Sparklink Travels 32 years

Sparklink Travels has achieved another milestone in the travel and tourism Industry, completing 32 years of Excellence in the Travel and Tourism Services in Sri Lanka.

Commencing in August 1979, Sparklink has grown over 32 years to be a Market Leader in Travel Tourism in Sri Lanka.

Over the years the Company has Established international links, Worldwide, Especially China, which has been helpful towards the growth of Sparklink as a friend of Sparklink on the “Way Forward”.

They have special group tours to the Canton Trade Fair, Bodhgaya, Holy Land and Tailor-made Tours to China, India, Thailand, Singapore, Dubai, Malaysia, Europe are arranged for families and groups.

There were constraints and accessibility to the building, due to security reasons for over 6 years, however with peace achieved by the vision of His Excellency the President, the Barriers for access to the “Nihalsons Building” was removed and free access is now available.

The Road to success was achieved mainly with the help of their valued Clients, Dedicated Staff, Friends, Families, the Clergy of all Religions, Airlines, Ministry of Tourism, Civil Aviation Authority, Sri Lanka Tourism Authority, Banks, Diplomatic Missions, GDS Abacus, Amadeus, Lanka United Merchants Association “LUMA”, The Chamber of Young Lankan Entrepreneurs “COYLE”, Sri Lanka China Society and Sri Lanka Belgium Association.

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An offer of free accommodation in Dubai for First and Business Class passengers on Emirates has been extended to cover bookings made upto September 26, 2011, the airline announced.

In addition to complimentary accommodation at top-notch hotels, First and Business Class passengers travelling to or beyond Dubai also receive free 96-hour visas.

First Class passengers can spend up to two free nights at either the Armani Hotel or Jumeirah Zabeel Saray while Business Class passengers are entitled to a free night at either The Address Dubai Marina or Jumeirah Emirates Towers Hotel. “A break in Dubai has become very popular among Sri Lankans travelling with Emirates, and the extension of this promotion will provide an opportunity for those who have not as yet availed of the offer to do so,” Emirates’ Sales Manager in Sri Lanka Devika Ellepola said.

“There could also be some who would like to repeat the experience with our compliments.” To be eligible for the offer passengers must complete the entire journey on either First or Business Class between August 01 and September 30, 2011. The offer cannot be combined with any inclusive tour packages and is not valid for travel that originates in the UAE or the UK.