The Hindu Business Line : SriLankan plans first direct air links thru 3 SAARC countries

IN a step that could be a precursor to greater economic co-operation among the seven countriesunder the SAARC umbrella, SriLankan, the national airlines of Sri Lanka, is exploring possibilities of launching flights which will provide the first direct air links through three countries in the region.

The routes being looked at are Colombo-Mumbai-Karachi-Mumbai-Colombo and Colombo-Kolkata-Dhaka, senior SriLankan officials told Business Line.

The airline, which has received permission to operate between Mumbai and Karachi, has, however, not firmed up the date for launching the flight. It is closely monitoring the opening of the Pakistan consulate in Mumbai and the Indian consulate in the Pakistani port city before deciding on when to start the service.

The re-opening of the Indian and Pakistan consulates is likely to facilitate travel between the two countries. Initially, the airline plans to operate the flight three times a week on the sector. Currently, Pakistan International Airlines is the only airline offering regular air connectivity between Mumbai and Karachi.

Besides, the airline is also examining the option of connecting Sri Lanka with India and Bangladesh through a direct flight. A SriLankan team was in Kolkata recently to study the market potential for launch of the flight.

Although the airline is looking at linking Sri Lanka with both Pakistan and Bangladesh through India, officials indicated that the Colombo-Mumbai-Karachi flight is likely to go first off the ground.

SriLankan currently operates between Colombo and Karachi.

It also offers regular services between Colombo and 10 Indian cities, including a 15 times-a-week service to Chennai.

The eventual launch of the triangular flights will see SriLankan taking full advantage of the relaxations announced as part of the joint statement issued at the conclusion of a three-day visit of the then Sri Lankan Prime Minister, Mr Ranil Wickremesinghe, to India in October last year.

The joint statement not only allowed Indian scheduled private sector airlines to operate flights to Sri Lanka, but also granted "fifth freedom right" to the designated airlines of the two countries.

The right allows the airlines of one country to fly to another and pick up passengers bound for a third country within the SAARC region.

For instance, SriLankan can utilise the fifth freedom right if it starts operating on the Colombo-Mumbai-Karachi or Colombo-Kolkata-Dhaka sectors.