SriLankan Airlines today said it would recommence operations from Kochi by operating daily flights from Mar 27 and was also looking to resume services to Kozhikode and Hyderabad by the end of this year or early next year, a top official of the airline said.

With the resumption of flights to Kochi and addition of seven frequencies, the toal number of flights to India will increase to 63 per week, Mr Mohamed Fazeel, Head Worldwide – Sales, SriLankan Airlines said here.

With the Indian Premier League (IPL) season round the corner and Kochi Tuskers Kerala, which is making its maiden foray this season, having Lankan players, lot of fans would want to come to Kochi to see them play, he said.

It is extremely opportune time for the airline to resume services to Kochi post the ethnic conflict in Sri Lanka and world economic slump. India is an extremely important market for us and this re-launch in Kochi as a stepping stone to further expanding services in India and around the world, he said.

The morning flight departs Colombo on Mondays, Tuesdays and Fridays to reach Kochi at 0830 hrs. It leaves Kochi at 0925 hrs and arrives in Colombo at 1035. The afternoon departure leaves Colombo at 1420 hrs on Wednesdays, Saturdays and Sundays to reach Kochi at 1530 hrs and leaves Kochi at 1620 hrs and arrives in Colombo at 1730 hrs.

SriLankan Airlines had earlier served Kochi from 2003, but had suspended the service in 2009 during a slump in air travel.

Before the cutbacks, Srilankan Airlines flew about 100 times a week to India, he said.

The airlines will also be introducing three direct flights a week to Moscow from December this year, he said. More flights to Paris, London have also been planned.

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