The first direct flight to Kolkata from Colombo touched down at the city airport on Wednesday.
The Airbus-319, belonging to Sri Lanka government’s low-cost carrier Mihin Lanka, arrived at 2 pm with 116 passengers after a three-hour journey from Colombo. The return flight left the city at around 3 pm taking 120 passengers to Colombo.
(“It’s a historic moment and we are quite excited and proud to start this flight service. We are very pleased to add another destination to our network in India,” said Sri Lankan Airlines, Director/CEO Rakita Jayawardena, adds PTI.)
The flights from Kolkata will be operated thrice weekly by Mihin Lanka: Monday, Wednesday and Friday.
“The scheduled days of the flights are based on the Kolkata traveller’s convenience, and will facilitate greater access to Colombo on Mihin Lanka, and affording seamless connections with Sri Lankan Airline’s convenient schedules to key destinations in Europe, Middle East and the Far East,” a statement from the airline said.
“The promotional introductory offer also extends to the Maldives, with a stopover in Colombo. The aircraft servicing this route will be Mihin Lanka’s Airbus 319 and A321 that boasts of business and economy class service, and renowned Sri Lankan hospitality,” the statement said.
Meanwhile, Sri Lankan Airlines, the national carrier of Sri Lanka, on Wednesday announced a code share agreement with Mihin Lanka for the operation of flights between Kolkata and Colombo. A special introductory fare to Colombo marked this agreement beginning June 17.
{{/usCountry}}Meanwhile, Sri Lankan Airlines, the national carrier of Sri Lanka, on Wednesday announced a code share agreement with Mihin Lanka for the operation of flights between Kolkata and Colombo. A special introductory fare to Colombo marked this agreement beginning June 17.
{{/usCountry}}“The fare from Kolkata to Colombo is starting from 10,530,” a statement from the airline said.
With the commencement of the new code share with Mihin Lanka, Sri Lankan Airlines continues to build seamless connectivity from their hub in Colombo across various regions in India, expanding on its code share and direct operations to and from 11 cities in India, creating new travel options for the business traveller and holiday makers from Kolkata to access Sri Lanka delivering a boost for local tourism.