Swiss International Airlines resumes operations to Colombo

COLOMBO: Swiss International Airlines, a member of the Lufthansa Group, has resumed operations to Colombo.

The Swiss flight from Zurich to Colombo, operated by an Airbus 340, was welcomed by a celebratory water cannon salute upon arrival at Bandaranaike International Airport. This flight brought 95 passengers.

The weekly service to Colombo every Friday — with a capacity of 314 seats — will feature 27 seats in Business Class and 287 in Economy.

The economy cabin includes 70 seats with an extra recline and legroom.

The airline was scheduled to operate a twice-weekly service year-round pre-COVID pandemic.

“Gauging from the interest demonstrated now by potential visitors to the country, we are optimistic we could revisit this plan in the not-too-distant future,” United Ventures, the General Sales Agent (GSA) for Lufthansa Group in Sri Lanka Chairperson and Managing Director Parveen Dassenaike said.

Aviation and Export Zones Development State Minister D. V. Chanaka said the commencement of operations by Swiss International Airlines will help boost the tourism industry in Sri Lanka.

The resumption of airline’s winter flights scheduled to Colombo will strengthen cooperation in the trade, investment, financial, educational and cultural areas between the two nations.

“We have been continuing our efforts to make sure that our airports are operated in compliance with the international standards of health and safety,” State Minister Chanaka said.