Air India to launch direct flights between Mumbai and Colombo from next month
Air India has reportedly announced that it would launch direct flights between Mumbai and Colombo from September 21 and that the initial frequency would be five flights per week.
The frequency is to be increased to a daily flight from October 20.
In addition Air India also operates double digit flights to New Delhi and daily flights to Chennai from Colombo.
An official from Air India office in Sri Lanka’s commercial capital, Colombo has been quoted as saying in the local media that the visa on arrival facility along with the immediate connection offered to Europe and USA have increased the demand for their flights and this was the reason Mumbai was introduced.
The airline also offers 90 minutes connecting time via the Delhi Hub to these destinations as well.
Air India recommenced their second daily flight from Colombo to New Delhi in July.
OSL take:
The commencement of flights of Air India between Colombo and Mumbai would further strengthen bilateral as well as trade ties. It also sends a clear message overseas that Sri Lanka is a safe destination. The country suffered a setback after the Easter Sunday attacks in April. However, the country has shown an impressive resilience and return to normalcy. Sri Lanka’s tourism sector is fast returning to normalcy with the steady increase tourist arrivals as well as investments to the tourism industry. Sri Lanka also maintains the top slot in the list of destination of the year in several leading global travel publications. Therefore, foreign businesses/investors could explore business/investment opportunities in Sri Lanka’s tourism sector and also look at the possibility of setting up base in Sri Lanka to do business with India.
| Article Code : | VBS/AT/13082019/Z_8 |