SriLankan Air to fly to Kochi

SriLankan Airlines, the emerald isle’s flag carrier, plans to increase its flights to India this year.

The carrier will add a flight to Kochi from Colombo, and is evaluating flights to Hyderabad and  other destinations in the south, said Mohamed Fazeel, head of worldwide sales. It plans to start eight more flights from India this year. The carrier has ordered two Airbus A320s, which will be delivered this year.

SriLankan currently flies to four Indian cities — Mumbai, Delhi, Chennai and Bangalore. Passenger load factor for flights from India stood at 85% for December and January, Fazeel said, while global load factor was 78%.

The breakeven load factor was 74%. FY10 load factor numbers were unavailable as the airline is readying for the close of its financial year on March 31. The airline reported a loss of 9.3 billion Sri Lankan rupees (approx Rs 375 crore) for FY09, on the back of a 72.85% load factor.

The airline operates an all-Airbus fleet of 12 aircraft — five A340s, four A330s and three A320s. It plans to refurbish its widebody aircraft later this year. Among the planned refurbishment is the introduction of sleeper beds in premium class cabins.

Meanwhile, the airline has asked rating agency SkyTrax to conduct an audit of its services, CEO Manoj Gunawardena said. The agency’s report is expected latest by three months.

SriLankan, whose rating of four stars was reduced to three by SkyTrax last year, has prepared new menus, crew uniforms and in-flight services in a bid to regain the fourth star.

The airline is majority-owned by the Government of Sri Lanka (51.05%). Dubai flag carrier Emirates owns a 43.63% stake, while the balance is held with Sri Lankan’s employees.
 
The writer was in Colombo at the invitation of SriLankan Airlines