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Monday Nov 18, 2024
Wednesday, 25 September 2013 00:00 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}
Operating 80 flights to India per week, the national carrier said the frequency to Bangalore was increased since a demand drop for Chennai flights was noticed after the recent attacks on Buddhists in Tamil Nadu. As a result, frequency from Colombo to Chennai was reduced from four to three flights per day.
After requests were made by tour operators to increase the flight frequency to an alternative route, Bangalore was selected as the connecting destination to North India since it was noted to be affordable to the pilgrims.Speaking at a media briefing yesterday in Colombo, Manager Sales Agency/Passenger Jayantha Abeysinghe said: “The tour operators wanted something to be done to support the Buddhist community since many were fearful of using Chennai as a connecting route. We ruled out increasing flights to New Delhi since it will expensive for the pilgrims. Instead we selected Bangalore since not only will it be cheaper, it is also a friendly city.”
Having introduced Bangalore as a new route for the Buddhist community since 3 August 2013, SriLankan Airlines has so far carried approximately 800 pilgrims.
Stating that the increased frequency is certainly profit making for the company, Abeysinghe said the airline has also introduced competitive fare to Bangalore.
A return ticket to Bangalore is now offered at Rs. 10, 900 for those who book at least three weeks prior to the departure date. The offer will be made available till 30 November 2013.
Abeysinghe stated that this offer is not only for the Buddhist pilgrims but for anyone who is interested in a short getaway to Bangalore, which is known as India’s Silicon Valley and garden city.
Opining that Bangalore is an ideal destination for a holiday, he said the city is a shopper’s paradise, has many amusement theme parks, a number of historical sites and quirky museums, which will keep the entire family well entertained and occupied throughout their trip.
