British Airways, to commence flights from Colombo

Sara Pathirana

British Airways (BA) announced the launch of its flights from Colombo to London Gatwick recently, which will commence on April 15 after a lapse of 15 years. British Airways is the first European carrier to instigate operations to Sri Lanka after the end of the war.

This is an important milestone that would give momentum to the rapid growth in the tourism industry and would contribute towards the Government’s vision of achieving the target of 2.5 million tourist arrivals by 2016.

UK has always remained among the top three tourist generating markets to Sri Lanka and had indicated a growth of 25.4% (10,235) in January 2013 against the corresponding period whilst Western Europe had indicated a substantial growth of 7.7% (114,218) in 2012, when compared to the corresponding period.

In 1995, British Airways were looking for an agent by launching a worldwide tender and Hayleys successfully managed to secure the agency and commenced operations in that year.

The Head of Sector for Hayleys Aviation during that time was Mohan Pandithage, who is currently the Chairman of Hayleys Aviation.

“Hayleys Group had acquired tenders not only for British Airways but for Qantas Airways as well. In 1998, BA suspended its service to Colombo due to the prevailing conditions the country faced but we continued successfully with the cargo service.

With the end of the war, we approached BA and managed to commence services once again, after nearly, a 15 year hiatus,” Chairman, Hayleys Aviation, Mohan Pandithage said.

The schedule runs on a thrice weekly service which operates via Maldives by a Boeing 777-200, in a three class configuration that offers 48 Club World fully flat beds, 24 Premium Economy (World Traveller Plus) and 203 World Traveller seats.

With the widespread route network that BA operates, travelers are offered expedient flight connections beyond UK to markets such as USA, Canada, South America and the Caribbean. BA has invested over five billion pounds from 2011 on its products and services that offers travellers the best in premium travel.

BA loyalty program, the “Executive Club”, offers its members “Avios” when they book a flight or shop with partners, to spend on flights, hotel etc., with instant access to special offers and promotions. The unique aspect of this programme is that it is free of charge and the benefits begin immediately.

BA also offers a loyalty programme for organisations called “On Business” which will be introduced to Sri Lanka soon and it offers mileage redemption for upgrades, reward travel, hotel accommodation and even free advertising for member companies.