The SriLankan Airlines, one of the largest foreign airline flying to 11 Indian cities, may add Bhubaneswar in its destination map, if the local market is found viable.To start with the Airlines today opened its General Sales Agency (GSA) and ticketing office in Bhubaneswar.
“ We have the approval for flying to Bhubaneswar but that will happen in the long run.We need to discover the market before taking any decision”, Asha Kumar, sales manager, central India, SriLankan Airlines said.
Talking to the media, she said, the Airlines are now passing through a difficult phase and the decision to fly to the new destinations is not easy in the present conttext. However, the approach of the company in this matter is positive, she added.
About opening of GSA and the booking counter in Bhubaneswar, Kumar said, due to the initiatives of the Orissa government, the IT sector is booming. Besides, there is historical relationship between India and the Island country.
She said, of late Sri Lanka has been attracting a large number of international tourist.The total international tourist arrival increased by 6.1 percent in 2007 to 898 million compared to 846 million in 2006. Indian accounted for 21.5 per cent of the total tourist flow into Sri Lanka. Similarly, 25 million Sri Lankan tourists visited India last year.
Stating that Bhubaneswar is a significant market for SriLankan Airlines, she said, with the growth of the city’s businesses, there is huge potential for increase in tourist traffic. The ticketing office will enable swift and easy ticketing for travel to Europe, far east and middle east.
The Airlines is offering special fares for passengers from Bhubaneswar for its Hyderabad-Sri Lanka flight starting with two-way fares of Rs 15,000. It has also holiday packages to attaract the youngsters, she added.