This enhanced schedule offers greater travel flexibility for Bengaluru residents heading to Sri Lanka for holidays or remote work, allowing more daytime hours on the island while being well-timed near the weekend. Travellers can enjoy a packed itinerary, make the most of their visit and return home ready to start the new week, making it an optimal choice for weekend trips to Sri Lanka.

The appeal of Sri Lanka as a holiday and MICE destination among Indian travellers is on the rise, largely due to the cultural and geographical closeness of the two countries. Many Indians will discover a familiar sense of home in Sri Lanka that is often missing elsewhere. Additionally, Sri Lanka’s compact size and the new flight schedule enable Indian visitors to experience a range of attractions in just a few days, from the picturesque southern beaches and the historic kovils in the north to the cool highlands in the central region, complemented by shopping and wellness activities in Colombo.

The new flight schedule is just one reason why SriLankan Airlines remains a preferred choice for Indian travellers. Members of the airline’s loyalty programme, FlySmiLes, can earn 1,174 miles for flights on UL 1174 and 1,173 miles on UL 1173. Onboard, passengers can indulge in delicious Indian vegetarian and non-vegetarian cuisine, along with the renowned warmth and hospitality that reflects the spirit of Sri Lanka.

In addition to the new service, SriLankan Airlines will continue operating its established daily flights between Bangalore and Colombo. India is the only nation with nine cities in SriLankan Airlines’ network, covering Delhi, Mumbai, Hyderabad, Kochi, Trivandrum, Chennai, Trichy, Madurai and Bangalore. Altogether, SriLankan Airlines runs nearly 90 flights each week between India and Sri Lanka.

For further information and to make bookings, please visit SriLankan.

“Our new service represents a pivotal milestone for Nok Air as we strengthen our international network as a premium budget airline,” said Ranon Viputsiri, Chief Commercial Officer of Nok Air. “This enhanced connectivity between India and Bangkok will position Bangkok as a key gateway to Thailand, providing travellers seamless access to renowned destinations like Phuket and Chiang Mai, as well as lesser-known gems such as Chiang Rai, Nan, Trang, and many more ensuring a strong comprehensive travel experience.”

Nok Air is dedicated to providing an exceptional flying experience at an affordable price, reflected in its tagline, “We Fly Smiles.” Passengers can choose from two ticket types— Nok Air X-tra and Nok Max—each designed for comfort and convenience.

– Nok Air X-tra: Includes 20 kg of checked luggage, 7 kg of carry-on baggage, premium seating options, inflight entertainment and a complimentary snack box with a water bottle.

– Nok Max: Includes 30 kg of checked luggage, 7 kg of carry-on baggage, premium seating and a complimentary hot meal with Indian vegetarian or non-vegetarian options.

India is the third largest source of visitors to Thailand, with one million Indian tourists visiting between January and June 2024. Nok Air will operate a total of 12 flights between India and Thailand, including four weekly flights from Hyderabad and eight from Mumbai, offering passengers convenient flight times and premium services.

Travellers can easily book their seats on the AirAsiaMOVE app or airasia.com. Tansita Akraritpirom, Head of Commercial at Thai AirAsia, emphasised the airline’s commitment to India by expanding to 14 routes with these new additions.

Thailand will become more accessible for Indian travellers with the coming of these new flights. The connection between the two countries will also be strengthened.

Johnson Francis, Director, Oscar Travels, expressed enthusiasm for the collaboration, emphasising their commitment to promoting Air India’s offerings.

With a surge in passenger traffic between India and Malaysia, the partnership aims to provide seamless travel experiences while fostering cultural and economic exchanges between the two nations.

“Wings for Leaders” program, featuring privileges such as priority check-in, access to luxurious business lounges and organic gourmet cuisine will give passengers a premium flying experience. The members of SkyJoy can also earn up to 1,000 SkyPoints for every transaction of INR 3418 (VND 1,000,000) to redeem gifts from over 250 top brands.

Vietjet currently operates eight routes with 60 flights per week, as the airline with the most routes between Vietnam and India, connecting New Delhi, Mumbai, Ahmedabad and Kochi to Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City and Da Nang.

IATA which represents approximately 330 airlines, including those from India, accounts for more than 80 per cent of global air traffic. During the Asia Pacific Ministerial Conference on Civil Aviation in the capital, Walsh commented that certain regions are seeing positive cooperation and dialogue concerning airport charges. Some areas have implemented economic regulations to ensure these charges remain moderate.

The IATA chief said about India being one of the countries having the highest airports charges, “it is being in the highest levels that we have seen in airports around the world.” India is one of the world’s fastest-growing civil aviation markets and has more than 150 operational airports.

Civil Aviation Minister K Rammohan Naidu, in the conference, said, the number of domestic air passengers in the country climbed from 67 million in 2014 to 152 million in 2024.

This new interline agreement will offer passengers the convenience of single-ticket itineraries, through-checked baggage and coordinated flight schedules for travellers.

Richard Nuttall, Chief Executive Officer of SriLankan Airlines said, “We are excited to partner with flydubai to provide our passengers seamless connections and greater convenience. This partnership reinforces our strategy to broaden our network and global reach, presenting customers with more travel choices and flexibility. We look forward to collaborating with flydubai and welcoming their passengers aboard our flights to experience an authentic SriLankan journey.”

Ghaith Al Ghaith, Chief Executive Officer at flydubai, said, “We’re excited about our new interline agreement with SriLankan Airlines that will further strengthen trade and tourism relations between the UAE and Sri Lanka. Since the start of operations in Sri Lanka in 2010, we have seen consistent demand for travel between our two countries over the years. Dubai remains an important thriving aviation hub and through these interline agreements, this will open up new horizons for our passengers, giving them more options to explore the world with ease.”

Reflecting on the airline’s 45-year journey, Ashok Pathirage, Chairman of SriLankan Airlines, expressed pride in the airline’s enduring legacy and said, “Forty-five years is a long time in any industry, but achieving this milestone in the commercial airline sector is an even greater feat. SriLankan Airlines is one of the oldest commercial airlines in this region, and we are incredibly proud of our journey over the past 45 years, despite the regular challenges we have faced. Through it all, SriLankan has remained steadfast in its commitment to our loyal customers and in supporting Sri Lanka through every high and low.”

“On this occasion, it is important to express our gratitude to our people. We owe our successes and resilience to every individual within the airline, both current and past, who has dedicated themselves and made sacrifices for our success. As we celebrate our achievements, we will also focus on our vision for the future, striving to be the airline of choice for travellers seeking an authentic Sri Lankan experience, personified by the warmth and hospitality of our people,” said Richard Nuttall, Chief Executive Officer of SriLankan Airlines.

SriLankan Airlines offers convenient connections to a global network of 114 destinations across 62 countries, including partnerships with codeshare airlines. The airline’s direct routes cover major cities in Europe, Australia, the Middle East, the Indian Subcontinent, Southeast Asia, and the Far East. It operates an all-Airbus fleet, comprising a wide-bodied A330 aircraft, a A321 aircraft, and mid-range A320s.

For further details, visit SriLankan Airlines.

The promotional fares can be booked between August 18th and 31st, 2024, for travel between September 1st and November 30th, 2024. Discounts are available for both Business and Guest Class, giving passengers the flexibility to plan their trips across four continents on Saudia’s modern fleet.

Saudia’s website and digital platforms offer a comprehensive range of services, from booking and trip planning to check-in and after-flight assistance. The airline also provides smooth ground services at airports, ensuring a hassle-free travel experience. Once on board, passengers can enjoy high-quality catering and entertainment options, making their journey even more enjoyable.

Along the way, employees from Bandaranaike International Airport exposed the team to different ground-handling activities. The high point for many of the young monks was actually boarding a SriLankan Airlines Airbus A320 which was parked at the tarmac giving each young monk their first experience of both the airport environment and boarding an aircraft.

The Samaneras and Theros, however, were given a special almsgiving (Dana) and pirikara at the airport’s Silk Route Arrival Lounge while keeping with religious traditions. The almsgiving took place in the presence of SriLankan staff volunteers, members of the airline’s senior management, and senior managers from Airport and Aviation Services (Sri Lanka).