IndiGo now largest foreign operator in Sri Lanka

The Delhi-based low-cost airline IndiGo has become the largest foreign carrier out of Sri Lanka, operating 54 weekly flights to Colombo and Jaffna. IndiGo connects Colombo and Jaffna from Bengaluru, Chennai, Hyderabad, and Mumbai. Commenting on the latest development, Vinay Malhotra, Head of Global Sales at IndiGo, said, “By enhancing air connectivity, we aim to stimulate tourism and foster economic growth.” The Chairman of the Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau said IndiGo’s increased frequency, including its operations to Jaffna, highlights its dedication to developing the Northern Province and fostering economic growth, tourism, and cultural exchange. Reversal of History This is ironic in many ways. In the mid-1990s, two factors resulted: the signing of an open-sky agreement between India and Sri Lanka and Emirates' management control over Sri Lankan Airlines. The Sri Lankan national carrier became the most significant foreign airline, operating over 100 weekly frequencies from various cities in India. In 2008, Emirates disappeared. It issued a statement stating that the Sri Lankan government had notified it that it was not renewing the shareholder agreement, which expired on March 31, 2008. Accordingly, from April 1, 2008, management control "will pass to the Sri Lankan government,” according to Tim Clark, Chairman and Managing Director, as saying (Emirates ends deal with Sri Lanka—Times of India). Emirates took over Sri Lanka's management mainly because, with its clout in the international leasing market, it could procure Airbus 320 aircraft that could be deployed in Colombo for short flights to various destinations in India. The open sky agreement was also very liberal in allowing SriLankan Airlines access to multiple cities across India. Foreign airlines increase flights to Sri Lanka. IndiGo’s achievement is no mean feat, as several foreign airlines have recently started flights to Sri Lanka or enhanced their frequency. On September 21 last year, the former Tourism Minister of the island nation took to X to announce that Air China was to start daily frequencies from October last year (Air China to begin daily flights to Sri Lanka - Business Main | Daily Mirror). In July last year, the airline started a three-times-a-week service from Chengdu to Colombo. China is the fifth largest tourist generator for Sri Lanka. Flydubai signed an interline agreement with SriLankan Airlines in the same month. The interline agreement offers flydubai passengers access to 16 destinations on Sri Lankan’s robust network in Southern and East Asia, the Middle East, and Australia – including Melbourne, Seoul, Singapore, and Tokyo. In addition, the interline will enable passengers traveling with Sri Lankan Airlines to seamlessly connect via Dubai’s aviation hub to more than 30 destinations that flydubai operates to in Africa, Central Asia, Central, and Southeast Europe, and the Middle East. This includes unique holiday destinations such as Bucharest, Krakow, Mombasa, Naples, Tashkent, and Zanzibar (flydubai and Sri Lankan Airlines announce new interline agreement).

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