Emirates to commence outbound passenger flights from Sri Lanka
Emirates Airlines has reportedly announced the launch of outward-bound passenger flights from Sri Lanka from Saturday (20) to facilitate travel for foreign nationals as well as Sri Lankans who need to return to families, jobs or education overseas.
According to reports, the airline currently operates passenger flights to 30 destinations with connectivity for cities between Asia, Europe and North America via its home base of Dubai, and expects to expand its reach as countries open up their airports to passenger flights.
From 20 June, Emirates will operate two outbound passenger plus cargo services with Boeing 777-300 aircraft every Saturday and Sunday from the Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) in Sri Lanka to Dubai International Airport (DXB).
Passengers travelling to the UAE must meet the eligibility requirements specific to UAE residents, and for those transiting through, the entry requirements at their final destinations.
Every Friday and Saturday, Emirates’ cargo-only flight EK2528 will arrive in Colombo from Dubai, transporting essential imports into Sri Lanka. The return flight, EK2529 will depart Colombo every Saturday and Sunday at 01:00 hrs and arrive in Dubai at 03:45 hrs, all times local, with a combination of passengers and export cargo. Services in July are subject to Government approval.
“This is welcome news indeed for our longstanding and loyal customers who have been waiting patiently for Emirates to resume services,” Emirates’ Area Manager Sri Lanka and Maldives Chandana De Silva has been quoted as saying in the media.
“While scheduled inbound passenger flights remain suspended till the BIA resumes normal operations, these flights are an important first step in that direction. We have implemented enhanced hygiene and safety measures in the air and on the ground, in coordination with the relevant authorities. The safety and wellbeing of our customers, employees and communities remain our top priority.”
Emirates has implemented a comprehensive set of measures at every step of the customer journey to ensure the safety of its passengers and employees on the ground and in the air. Aircraft boarding sequence has been staggered in Economy Class with passengers boarding by row, from the last row to the first, in small numbers.
OSL take:
The announcement that Emirates Airlines, a global leader in the industry, would be recommencing outbound flights from Colombo from this Saturday is a welcome sign. It heralds the recommencement of economic activities between Sri Lanka and other countries. Sri Lankan authorities after announcing the reopening of the country for foreign visitors from August 1st, is now exploring the possibility of reopening earlier than August. Sri Lanka’s economic activities have already restarted after the Covid 19 closure. Sri Lanka looks positive on the return to normalcy. Also, the country’s geographical positioning in the Indian Ocean, the ease of doing business environment, the many trade agreements as well as trade concessions enjoyed by the country will help Sri Lanka regain its position as a business hub in the South Asian region.
| Article Code : | VBS/AT/20200618/Z_1 |