British Airways back in Sri Lanka

By Cheranka Mendis

British Airways, which suspended operations in 1998 just three years since commencement of operations here, is back and determined to stay.

Opening up an office at the Hayleys Group building down Deans Road, Colombo 10, with Hayleys handling the local representation, the airline will launch its first flight on 15 April from Colombo to London, Gatwick, after a lapse of 15 years.

With UK being among Sri Lanka’s top three tourist generating markets, recording 25.4% growth this January against the corresponding period, the airline is expected to help increase the numbers in the coming months.

Total arrivals from UK in January were 10,235 and in 2012, a total of 114, 218 tourists arrived from the UK, indicating a 7.7% growth over 2011.

British Airways will operate via Maldives on a thrice a week schedule in a Boeing 777-200 in a three class configuration offering 48 Club World fully flat beds, 24 Premium Economy (World Traveller Plus), and 203 World Traveller seats.

Hayleys Group Chairman Mohan Pandithage, who was the Sector Head of Hayleys Aviation in 1995 when the airline first came to Sri Lanka, recalled that the airline suspended its operations due to the prevalent situation in the country at the time.

Having convinced the airline to resume its operations, Pandithage said: “In 1995 when British Airways called for an agent, Hayleys was successful in securing the contract despite big names in the local economy also coming forward.”

The company has yet again been successful in luring the airline back in with tourism improving along with the country’s economic conditions. “We hope to fill in all the flights and the cargo space to be met successfully,” he added.

Even though the airline pulled away, Hayleys remained as the airline’s service partner, continuing its office in Sri Lanka. Hayleys Aviation represents some of the world’s leading passenger and cargo airlines, which includes Hainan Airways, Air India Express, Air Seashells, Oman Air, Qantas, and All Nippon Airways and Cargo.

With the extensive route network that British Airways operates, travellers are offered convenient flight connections beyond the UK to markets such as USA, Canada, South America and Caribbean.

British Airways is a member of oneworld and partners over 600 destinations, hotels, car rental and airport and on-board shopping. The airline offers a loyalty program the ‘Executive Club’ allowing members to collect ‘Avios’ when they book a flight or shop with partners to spend on flights, hotels and more. It also allows instant access to special offers and promotions on a free-of-charge enrolment basis.

A loyalty program for organisations, ‘On Business’ is to be introduced to Sri Lanka soon by the airline, offering mileage redemption for upgrades, reward travel, hotel accommodation, and free advertising for member companies.