Mihin Lanka takes to tourism

by Shirajiv SIRIMANE

For the first time Sri Lanka's budget airline, Mihin Lanka has taken to tourism promotion by flying in a group of over 50 travellers from Kuwait.

The up market group representing the Association of Academic Staff in Applied Colleges, in Kuwait would stay for almost one week in Sri Lanka and visit Kandy and the Southern Coast.

The tour was coordinated by Kuwait Overseas Travels and Asian Wings and more groups will arrive in the future. "Earlier Sri Lankan had travellers from the West and India and we have now opened a new market," he said. CEO Mihin Lanka said that they have flown over 160,000 passengers so far and now the airline is making profits.

"As the airline is now consolidating, we thought of bringing in more tourists to help the country's tourism drive," he said.

The dawn of peace and the political stability were the key to this group coming to Sri Lanka. "Two more large groups from Kuwait are expected to visit the country next month," he said.

He also said that these high society Kuwaitis selecting Mihin Lanka is proof that the airline is now recognized.

Commenting on the future plans of the airline he said that they would be getting their second aircraft soon and it would fly to Dhaka and Male. "We are also looking at Myanmar and more destinations in India," he said.

He said that they have 100 percent seat factor on both Varanesi and Bodhgaya flights and maintain over 80 percent to other destinations in Kuwait, Dubai and Trichy.

He said that one of the key factors for their success is the dedication of the staff.

The airline is also looking at the possibility to lease a third aircraft which would be a 56 seater. This is mainly with the intention of launching domestic flights.