On Monday, together with Sri Lanka’s Prime Minister’s Office, Tourism Ministry and the Sri Lankan Civil air agency, the Sri Lanka Tourism Authority presented a cabinet document and obtained 6 months of ground handling, air fuel, and boarding fees approvals.
In 2018, around 2.3 million visitors arrived in Sri Lanka producing revenue of USD 4.4 million, according to the Ministry. International airlines have carried more than 98 percent of visitors to Sri Lanka.
By April 2018, 29 airlines operated 300 flights per week in Sri Lanka. However, the connectivity decreased to 239 flights a week following the April 21 Easter Sunday attacks. This resulted in a total of 41 flights being canceled, leading in 8,000 seat loss each week from six nations–China, Hong Kong, India, Malaysia, Oman, and Thailand.
Eleven international airlines decreased their frequencies to BIA while one airline withdrew entirely (2 flights/week) with a total loss of direct air connection with Russia. Low-cost carriers are the majority of airlines that have lower frequencies. There is thus approximately Rs. 12 m, and Rs.51 m, respectively, for direct and indirect adverse impacts of the Easter Sunday Attacks each day.
The Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority has taken timely actions with the Prime Minister’s Office as well as the Sri Lankan Ministry for Tourism and Civil Aviation in preparation for a document on tourism, in view of the need to revive a tourism industry, which was severely impacted by Easter Sunday’s attacks.
“The Government has taken beneficial and timely steps to address this urgent call by the Tourism Development Authority of Sri Lanka, and particularly by Prime Minister John Amaratunga and the DGCA, Mr. Nimalsiri, at a critical stage and is most valued,” said Johanne Jayaratne, Chairman of the Tourism Development Authority in Sri Lanka.
“These lower prices will be reflected by the Board of Representatives (BAR) and the Sri Lankan Association of Airline Representatives (SLAAR) in the future ticket pricing,” he said.
