COLOMBO: SriLankan Airlines has commenced its service between Lahore and Colombo from Sept 27, officials said.

SriLankan Airlines Chairman Ajith Dias described the decision as an important step towards increasing focus on Asia, from the Middle East in the west to China and Japan in the east.

The route will be served by a medium-haul fleet of Airbus A320 and A321 aircraft.

Captain Suren Ratwatte, the CEO, said that market opportunities in Lahore and other South Asian cities would be evaluated and that more destinations and frequencies would be added.

“This... cements our burgeoning partnership with Pakistan International Airlines with whom we expect further cooperation,” he said.

The service will be offered twice a week for the first month of operation with flights on every Tuesday and Thursday.

The schedule will be changed to three times a week, starting from Oct 30 with flights on every Wednesday, Friday and Sunday. Flights will depart from Colombo at 8pm, arrive in Lahore at 11.35pm; depart from Lahore at 12.35am the next day and arrive in Colombo at 5am.

Published in Dawn September 29th, 2016