SriLankan Airlines is planning an ambitious network expansion across Europe, Asia and Africa as it works to grow its fleet, Chairman Dimal Arandara told the Parliamentary Sectoral Oversight Committee on Infrastructure and Strategic Development.
He said the airline’s biggest challenge is a shortage of aircraft rather than demand, with plans to increase frequencies to London, Australia, South Korea and China. The carrier is also studying new African destinations, including Kenya, Addis Ababa and Pretoria, positioning Colombo as a key transit hub for passengers travelling between China and Africa.
Committee Chairman MP S.M. Marikkar stressed that the limited fleet is preventing the airline from capitalising on profitable routes, urging SriLankan Airlines to expand services to destinations such as London, Melbourne, Paris and Shanghai as more aircraft become available.
