Leisure bookings to Sri Lanka impacted by crisis as desi-holidayers have a rethink

NEW DELHI: Indian holidayers are having a rethink about going to Sri Lanka, following the economic crisis and declaration of emergency in the emerald island. While airlines are still operating flights between various Indian cities and Colombo, the loads are fast dropping and they may take a call on pruning or suspending services next week depending on how the situation unfolds there.

“Leisure bookings to Sri Lanka have been impacted due to the recent developments. However, the cancellation rate remains low as of now. To ensure safety, our teams are working round-the-clock to keep travellers abreast with latest developments including travel guidelines and standard travel protocols. We have also extended the option for a no-cost change of destination, depending on the travellers’ convenience,” MakeMyTrip co-founder and group CEO Rajesh Magow said.

An IndiGo spokesperson said: “We are witnessing lower bookings to Bandaranaike International Airport (that serves Colombo) due to the ongoing crisis. We are continuously monitoring the impact and may take appropriate action to adjust the capacity based on the demand and situation in Sri Lanka.”

Officials of Indian carriers say loads are declining on Colombo flights. “Our big worry is if aviation turbine fuel (ATF) supply at Colombo airport gets affected too. Since ATF price is at an all-time high, we can’t afford to send relatively long flights like say Delhi-Colombo tanked up from origin for the return flight. Because more fuel means heavier aircraft and that means increased fuel burn to carry the extra load. 

“So, we are watching loads and ATF supply at Colombo — apart from the overall situation there — and will take a call on whether to reduce frequency of flights or suspend them,” said a senior official of an Indian airline.

In the past few years, the island’s airline — SriLankan — has emerged as one of the biggest international airlines in India in terms of number of flights. A significant number of Indian travellers fly Sri Lankan to transit via Colombo. In fact, the DGCA-approved summer schedule-2022 shows Sri Lankan’s 128 weekly flights to and from India are second only to 170 of Emirates — the international airline with maximum flights there.

A Sri Lankan official said ATF supply at Colombo Airport has not been hit. “All flights are on schedule. Tourists are going,” she said. 

(source: https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/business/india-business/leisure-bookings-to-sri-lanka-impacted-by-crisis-as-desi-holidayers-have-a-rethink/articleshow/90614225.cms)