The Hindu Business Line : SriLankan withdraws one daily flight from Mumbai

New Delhi June 12 SriLankan, the national airline of Sri Lanka, has withdrawn one of the two daily flights it operates to Mumbai due to the night curfew at Colombo airport, according to the CEO, Mr Peter Hill.

"The night curfew at Colombo has forced us to curtail about 15 flights. This has also affected one of the two daily flights that we operate to Mumbai. It is too early to comment on the financial impact of our flight schedule being adjusted," he told Business Line.

The Sri Lankan authorities decided to suspend night operations at the Colombo airport as a precautionary measure following the recent air strikes by the Tamil Tigers.

The airport currently remains shut from 10.30 p.m. to 4.30 a.m.

SriLankan has rescheduled its operations in a manner that no flight leaves Colombo after 9 p.m., airline officials said.

Following the air strike, some international airlines have withdrawn services to Sri Lanka.

A few, including Singapore Airlines (SIA), resumed services but changed the timing of the flight, even before the authorities imposed a night curfew at Colombo airport.

Air Sahara was the only airline from India to withdraw flights to Colombo following the imposition of night curfew.

SriLankan continues to attract travellers largely due to the reduced airfares it offers.

Meanwhile, the airline apprehends that its financial fortunes could be affected if the night curfew at Colombo airport stays in place for an extended period of time.

"The airline will struggle financially this year if the night curfew remains in place till the end of the year," Mr Hill said.