SriLankan, Etihad code share adds more destinations

Ruwanthi ABEYAKOON

SriLankan Airlines is looking at enhancing cooperation possibilities with Etihad under the code share partnership entered into a few months back. The existing code share with Abu Dhabi based Etihad is only on Colombo-Abu Dhabi-Colombo route at present.

“The Etihad code share will add some of the lost destinations due the ending of the Emirates code-share. Both airlines would see equal value in the deal,” Chief Executive, Sri Lankan Airlines, Manoj Gunewardena told Daily News Business.

“We are looking at possibilities to expand code chares with Etihad for the West and the Middle East destinations and Malaysian Airlines for Far East and Australia. We will also partner these two airlines for flysmile frequent flyer programme,” Gunewardena said.

Sri Lankan has also started talking to India’s Jet Air for code-sharing. Sri Lankan is currently the largest foreign carrier to India with more than 100 flights a week.

He also added that re-fleeting the airline is underway. “We are not confirmed to particular lasso. We are currently looking to replace Airbus A320s and are evaluating offers. Re-fleeting will start in December and will go through to March and we are looking for the best deal possible,” Gunewardena said.

He noted that the airline is looking at aircraft that will suit the traffic. “There is no issue with cash. This can be called a replacing of an operating lease.

“The airline did a sale and lease-back last year earning Rs. 5.4 billion in capital gains for refurbishment,” he said.

“The aircraft will be comfortable and the appearance of the fleet will improve as the aircraft that will be purchased will be new or nearly new. So even though we may currently carry old aircraft in our fleet with low lease rentals, these can be replaced with newer, slightly more expensive aircraft with far better operating efficiencies,” Gunewardena said.