China’s Chongqing Airlines has resumed flights to Bandaranaike International Airport from January 08, state-run Sri Lanka Airport and Aviation Services Pvt Ltd said.
Chongqing Airlines will fly three times a week to Colombo from its home base in Chongqing.
Sri Lanka is experiencing a tourism revival with easy visa facilities restored after a new government came to power.
In 2024, China was the fifth largest generation market with 131,681 tourists.
In December Sri Lanka welcomed 9,924 visitors. (Colombo/Jan09/2025)
-
Sri Lanka extends tax relief for 3 int'l airports to attract airlines. Any ideas which airlines will start flying RML, JAF & HRI? why CMB is not included n the list?
Sri Lanka's cabinet has approved a proposal to extend further relief which is relevant to tax deviations for three international airports in the country, according to the government's information department on Tuesday.
Minister of Transport, Highways, Ports and Civil Aviation Bimal Rathnayake submitted the proposal, the department said.
According to the department, concessionary motivation schemes have been introduced by the Airport and Aviation Services for attracting international airline services for Jaffna International Airport, Colombo International Airport (Ratmalana), and Mattala Rajapaksa International Airport.
The cabinet approved the extension of a concession of 50 percent fee waiver from the presently implemented deviation tax for airlines operating fixed-time flights to Jaffna International Airport till January 30, 2026, extension of a concession of 50 percent fee waiver from the presently implemented deviation tax for airlines operating fixed-time flights to Colombo International Airport (Ratmalana) for one year from March 27, 2025, and extension of full concession relevant to the presently implemented deviation tax for airlines operating fixed-time flights to Mattala Rajapaksa International Airport for a further one-year period from December 29, 2024, the department added.
Leave a comment:
-
Hi, Good day.Originally posted by banuthev View Post
I can't confirm anything as of now, RJ is unlikely to serve CMB for an indefinite period of time, they will be focusing on Indian cities as of now (according to some rumors from inside the airline) and will gradually expand down south to CMB. If RJ were to reinstate services back to CMB it will be on their flagship Dreamliner or A321 Neos which they are due to take delivery in 2025..
Thank you..
Leave a comment:
-
This may be because of a tax relief came to an end?Originally posted by n863gt View Post
ECONOMYNEXT – Sri Lanka’s Cabinet of Ministers has granted tax concession for airlines which will operate flights to the island nation’s international airports with more capacity aiming to boost tourist arrivals.
The move comes as Sri Lanka’s main Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) is facing difficulties in accommodating all the arrivals.
The tax concessions have been introduced by the Airport and Aviation Services (Sri
Lanka) (Private) Limited with the objective of attracting international airline services for the Jaffna International Airport, Colombo International Airport (Rathmalana), and Mattala Rajapaksha
International Airport.
However, those incentives came to an end and had to be extended.
The Cabinet approved to further extend the tax relief to the three airports.
The Cabinet granted “extension of concession of 50% fee waiver from the presently implemented deviation tax
for the airlines operating fixed-time flights to Jaffna International Airport till January 30, 2026 while the same was extended for the airlines operating fixed-time flights to Colombo International Airport (Rathmalana) for the period of one year from, March 27, 2025.
For the airlines operating fixed-time flights to Mattala Rajapaksha International Airport the extension of the full concession was granted for a further one-year period from December 29, 2024. (Colombo/January 07/2025)
Leave a comment:
-
Does anyone have an update on the two additional A330s due to come for UL? I've heard that they have been indefinitley delayed.Leave a comment:
-
There's actually a strong market for the middle ground, with people wanting something better than a no-frills, seat-only product but not ready to pay for a full premium service - and most 'premium' carriers are charging extra for many services now anyway.Originally posted by n863gt View PostLeave a comment:
-
When I was travelling regularly to AUH for meetings I would always try to take the UL 207 when possible as the timings were better than EY. Arriving around 22.00, I could be in the hotel room by 23.00 and get a good sleep, two hours before EY.Originally posted by banuthev View Post
I don't know how much traffic was connecting to BA, I always imagined it being more to UAE; certainly EY used to sell AUH as being easier to get to Jebel Ali and Jumeirah than via DXB.
Leave a comment:
-
good to see HRI picking up traffic. if HRI's surrounding infrastructure developed and the risk of a bird strike reduced, it has great potential to be a better airport and pick up more traffic.Originally posted by Serendib View Post
random question, but why does RML(an international airport) have little to no international traffic? I'm a bit confused about that. only a/cs I see are SLAF Y-12s, AN's, helicopters and (rarely) a 8D C208.
I did, though, spot a private jet land about 2-3 times in RML last year.Leave a comment:
-
Happy New Year to all !Originally posted by banuthev View Post
Centrum Air's Inaugural Charter Flight from Uzbekistan Lands at MRIA
Centrum Air's first charter flight from Uzbekistan touched down at Mattala Rajapaksa International Airport (MRIA) on 29th December 2024. The Airbus A321 Neo, carrying 194 passengers, was warmly received with a vibrant traditional Kandyan dance performance organized by Airport and Aviation Services (Sri Lanka) (Private) Limited.
Forwardair Aviation (Pvt) Ltd. proudly serves as the General Sales Agent (GSA) for Centrum Air in Sri Lanka.Leave a comment:
-
Hi Both,Originally posted by n863gt View Post
n863gt Could not get much info on the aircraft MSN1060 .
Banu,
Yes, We can guess as aircraft's Thai cabins were removed and configured with All Y Economy cabin, supposed to join with an LCC who operates A333s already. Materials and equipment were sent to the lessor to carryout the refurbishments. now, I think, all workings are ongoing without disruptions! As per That employee's words "Probably by January 15th, if no any disruptions!"Leave a comment:
Leave a comment: