Etihad Airways to boost frequencies to Colombo from 1 May
Daily FT: Etihad Airways — the national carrier of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) will increase the frequency of flight operations to Colombo from 1 May 2024.
Starting 1 May, Etihad Airways which currently operates 10 weekly flights will increase its frequency to 13 flights per week. This includes two flights each on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, and one flight on Wednesday. Additionally, from 15 June, the airline will further expand its services to 20 flights per week, with three flights scheduled for Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, and two flights on Wednesday.
The move is expected to make a significant boost to the tourism industry and travel to the Middle East and other key destinations in the world.
Etihad Chief Revenue and Commercial Officer Arik De said, “These latest flight increases are aligned with our seamless and practical connections at Abu Dhabi and our growing global network offers our guests more opportunities to fly where they want to at a time that suits them. It also makes it easier to enjoy a fantastic visit or stopover in Abu Dhabi as an integral part of their journey.”
The increase of flight operations by the airline is part of Etihad’s ambitious expansion of flights and frequencies to further boost Abu Dhabi’s global reach, offering more flexible travel options for its guests.
Airport and Aviation Services (Sri Lanka) Ltd., Chairman Eng. Athula Galketiya stated that it had successful negotiations with the top officials of Etihad Airways to increase the flight frequencies to Sri Lanka.
He added that AASL is pleased to continue the valuable partnership with Etihad Airways, which commenced flight operations to Sri Lanka in 2003.
OSL take:
The steady growth in the number of foreign travelers to the country has resulted in the increase in the number of flights operated to Sri Lanka by international airlines. It is in such a backdrop that Etihad Airways has decided to increase the flight being operated to Sri Lanka. This increase in air traffic to the country has created the need for the expansion in Sri Lanka’s airport and aviation industry. The Sri Lankan government has already commenced a programme to expand the infrastructure facilities in the country’s main airport – Bandaranaike International Airport. Along with it, the local authorities are also focused on developing the regional airport network in the country to improve internal connectivity that would in turn support the business, trade and tourism sectors. Given the overall economic activities in the country and the growing business potential in Sri Lanka’s airport and aviation industry as well as the tourism industry, foreign businesses/investors could confidently explore the expanding opportunities.
| Article Code : | VBS/AT/20240312/Z_4 |