AirAsia to launch Flights to Colombo, Sri Lanka

AirAsia is to launch flights between Colombo and Kuala Lumpur. The new Colombo – Kuala Lumpur route will begin on 15 August 2009 with direct daily flights between the two capital cities.

Promotional all-in fares are offered from as low as LKR4,090 (RM99) one-way and exclusively available online via AirAsia’s website.

Booking for promotional seats ends 14 June 2009 for travel between 15 August 2009 and 30 April 2010. Promotional seats are limited and available on a first-come, first-served basis.

AirAsia Regional Head of Commercial, Kathleen Tan said, “Colombo is an important destination for AirAsia to break into the South Asian market. The low fares AirAsia is offering will create new demand and stimulate travel. AirAsia’s entry into Sri Lanka is good timing as the country enters a new era of peace. We are working closely with Sri Lanka Tourism to boost the market because low fares will allow more people to travel. We are very excited about Colombo – Kuala Lumpur because there is a strong pent-up demand for the route. There is also a strong social tie between Malaysia and Sri Lanka as there is a sizeable Malay community here, while some Ceylonese have called Malaysia their home.”

AirAsia currently flies from Kuala Lumpur to two destinations in South Asia – Dhaka, Bangladesh that started in March 2009, and Tiruchirappalli (Trichy) in South India that commenced in December 2008. Colombo will thus be AirAsia’s third destination in South Asia.

AirAsia will be using new technologically advanced and fuel efficient 180-seater Airbus A320 aircraft. AirAsia aircraft are fitted with comfortable leather seats and wide aisles. The airline also offers a wide variety of hot meals onboard.

Chairman of Sri Lanka Tourism Bernard Goonetilleke said, “AirAsia’s decision to fly to Colombo signifies its confidence in Sri Lanka as a tourism destination. The inclusion of Colombo in a successful and massive network of destinations signals an impending growth in local tourism. We expect the entry of this strong player in the field to translate into healthier earnings for our tourism and tourism-related industries.”

See other recent news regarding: Travel News Asia, AirAsia, Kuala Lumpur, Colombo, Sri Lanka