By: Staff Writer
September 16, Colombo (LNW): SriLankan Airlines has entered into a landmark partnership with Axis Bank, one of India’s largest private sector banks, to strengthen its presence in the region’s biggest outbound travel market. The deal offers a range of exclusive benefits to Axis Bank’s massive 15-million customer base, including discounted fares and enhanced travel privileges.
Under the agreement, Axis Bank credit and debit cardholders will receive an exclusive 10% discount on both Business and Economy Class tickets booked directly through the SriLankan Airlines website.
The discounted fares apply to flights from India to Colombo and onwards via Colombo to destinations across the Far East, Middle East, Maldives, and key European cities including Frankfurt and Paris. Passengers flying to Melbourne will also benefit from an additional 5 kilograms of free checked baggage allowance.
The airline said more promotions are in the pipeline as it seeks to expand its brand visibility in India. “This partnership is also remarkable as it marks the first time SriLankan Airlines has collaborated with a private Indian bank,” said Fawzan Fareid, Regional Manager for India, Bangladesh, and Nepal. “Our combined strengths will enable us to deliver great value to our customers as this partnership continues to grow.”
Axis Bank, India’s third-largest private lender, welcomed the move, citing travel as a growing lifestyle priority among its clientele. “Our association with SriLankan Airlines further strengthens our value proposition for customers seeking memorable and rewarding travel experiences,” said Arnika Dixit, President & Head of Cards, Payments and Wealth Management.
India remains Sri Lanka’s largest source market for tourism, accounting for over 19% of total arrivals so far in 2025. According to the Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority (SLTDA), more than 290,000 Indian tourists visited the island between January and mid-September this year, underscoring the strategic importance of the Indian market.
SriLankan Airlines currently operates 88 weekly flights from nine Indian cities Mumbai, Delhi, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Kochi, Thiruvananthapuram, Chennai, Tiruchirappalli, and Madurai connecting passengers to Colombo and onward to its international network.
The carrier has been steadily rebuilding its Indian operations following the pandemic, with traffic between the two countries recovering strongly in 2024 and 2025.
Industry analysts note that partnerships with financial institutions are becoming increasingly critical for airlines looking to capture high-value customers in competitive markets. With outbound travel from India projected to cross 80 million trips annually by 2030, SriLankan Airlines’ tie-up with Axis Bank is seen as a strategic move to secure a larger slice of the lucrative segment.
The airline said the partnership reflects its long-term commitment to strengthening regional connectivity and supporting Sri Lanka’s broader tourism revival strategy.
