By: Staff Writer
June 06, Colombo (LNW): Air India resumed operation in Sri Lanka with Hayleys as new General Sales Agent following Sky Aviation Ltd’s failure in multiple attempts to legally restrain it from transferring local agentship of Indu Sky.
Indu Sky made an application in the District Court of Colombo, seeking an enjoining order against Air India days prior to the expiration of the GSA Contract, to prevent the latter from appointing a new GSA and this enjoining order was refused recently.
Air India, India’s leading global airline, has selected Hayleys, Sri Lanka’s leading blue-chip multinational conglomerate, as its General Sales Agent for passenger sales in Sri Lanka.
The keen interest of Air India to carry out frequent flights to Sri Lanka is evident by the continued operations as well as the increase in the number of flights operated to the country.
Leveraging the expertise, scale, and reliability of the Hayleys Group, the partnership will further enhance Air India’s presence in Sri Lanka to support the airline’s ongoing transformation and global expansion.
“Hayleys is honoured to represent Air India in Sri Lanka. Together, we share a commitment to corporate responsibility and uphold similar values, allowing us to offer unparalleled credibility, strength, stability, and value to our customers Mohan Pandithage, Chairman and Chief Executive of Hayleys PLC said.
The improved connectivity resulting from this collaboration will add greater momentum to Sri Lanka’s resurgent tourism industry, creating value for our nation and supporting the growth aspirations of Air India,”
Air India operates 17 weekly flights between India and Sri Lanka, contributing to the growing trade and tourism between the two countries. With its vast global network spread across five continents,
Air India offers convenient connections via Delhi or Chennai to passengers travelling between Sri Lanka and the rest of the world, particularly North America, Europe, and Australia.
India’s rising economic strength is leading to exponential growth in travel. More than 23 million inbound tourists and 10 million outbound tourists were recorded in 2023, making it one of the single most dynamic emerging hubs for aviation in Asia, with over 300,000 annual arrivals from India.
The strategic partnership supports Air India’s ongoing transformation and modernisation programme that is poised to offer Sri Lankan passengers a world-class flying experience with Indian hospitality at the core of it.
With its orders for 470 new aircraft, the airline is expanding and modernising its fleet, leading to the arrival of one new aircraft every six days through this year and into the next. Coupled with the other transformational changes designed to elevate the travel experience for customers.
