SriLankan Airlines partners with Virgin Australia

28 September 2023 05:46 pm - 16 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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SriLankan Airlines has entered into a first-ever interline partnership with Virgin Australia that will strengthen the airline’s network in Australia and offer customers extensive connections across the land down under and beyond, the SriLankan Airlines said.

The new partnership reaffirms SriLankan’s commitment to Australia and will present customers the convenience of adding select Virgin Australia domestic or international connections to their SriLankan Airlines booking and managing a multi-airline itinerary under a single ticket.

Dimuthu Tennakoon, Head of Worldwide Sales & Distribution of SriLankan Airlines commented on the partnership by stating, “Australia has one of the largest Sri Lankan diasporic communities, which makes our Australian routes incredibly popular all year around and particularly with people travelling to visit friends and relatives or in pursuit of higher education. This partnership will help us make further inroads in the Australian market through improved connectivity and a range of other benefits for our valued customers.”

SriLankan Airlines currently operates daily from Colombo to Melbourne and from Colombo to Sydney on a thrice-weekly basis. The partnership will enable passengers flying SriLankan to Melbourne or Sydney to connect to the Australian cities of Adelaide, Brisbane, Canberra, Cairns, Darwin, Hobart, Hamilton Island, Launceston, Gold Coast and Perth with Virgin Australia. Passengers will also have the option of flying beyond Australia to New Zealand, Samoa and Fiji. It is a win for Sri Lankan and Indian Australians living in these cities too as they can now fly out from their local city to Sri Lanka or India with a single SriLankan Airlines’ booking. What’s more, passengers can enjoy a seamless journey with a single check-in, including for baggage, at the departure airport and beat transit check-in queues.

The introduction of domestic and international interline flights options with Virgin Australia would improve the accessibility to Sri Lanka for Australian outbound tourists as well. An important customer group for SriLankan, the partnership will unquestionably help develop Australian leisure travel to Sri Lanka. It will also provide easy connections for SriLankan Airlines’ passengers flying to Australia via Colombo from the Maldives, India, Nepal, Pakistan and Bangladesh.

Since relaunching flights to Melbourne in October 2017 and Sydney in June 2020, close to a million passengers have travelled with SriLankan Airlines to Australia. The new partnership will enhance SriLankan Airlines’ service to Australia as the airline prepares to cruise to new altitudes above the land down under.

Comments - 16

sam Thursday, 28 September 2023 05:56 PM

Progressive move

DD Thursday, 28 September 2023 06:17 PM

Congratulations to SriLankan Airlines on this exciting news! SriLankan Airlines has some great advantages, including its valuable partnership with Virgin Australia and its deep connection with the Sri Lankan diaspora in Australia. While facing competition from established carriers like Qantas, SriLankan Airlines is working hard to provide competitive pricing and exceptional service. With your support, we believe SriLankan Airlines can win the race and become a preferred choice for travelers. Let's soar to new heights together!

Roger D S Thursday, 28 September 2023 06:35 PM

Excellent news! Hoping to see more joint ventures And a newer fleet so as to increase passenger

Jude Thursday, 28 September 2023 07:46 PM

Even partnering with God can't save SriLankan airlines making gigantic losses, year after year, yeah!!!

Jude Thursday, 28 September 2023 07:49 PM

Here's a classic example of government throwing good money after bad. The Airline cumulative loses over one Trillion rupees and counting.

Jude Thursday, 28 September 2023 10:20 PM

NOT even a foreigner CEO or Nobel laureate or God can revive or save Srilankan airlines, yeah.

Mahila Friday, 29 September 2023 12:59 AM

Now waiting awaiting with baited breath, for the Golden Era to dawn, after next elections to be delivered by TOP PERFORMISTS "Percival and Sajin Vaas COMBO" with all ‘APLOMB’ – “PETER HILL made to March Homewards SWAY”!!!???

Mahila Friday, 29 September 2023 12:59 AM

Now waiting awaiting with baited breath, for the Golden Era to dawn, after next elections to be delivered by TOP PERFORMISTS "Percival and Sajin Vaas COMBO" with all ‘APLOMB’ – “PETER HILL made to March Homewards SWAY”!!!???

Chand Friday, 29 September 2023 01:20 AM

Sri Lankan should start flying to Brisbane too, most popular city in Australia now for living overtaking Melbourne and Sydney. Covid saw lot of interstate migration From Melbourne and Sydney to Brisbane. Flying from Brisbane domestic then changing terminals in Sydney to international is a big hassle with luggage. The move to partnership with Virgin will not make any difference to current set up. Only choice is to fly to Brisbane for Queensland passengers if not a flop!!

Ram Friday, 29 September 2023 04:58 AM

Good move. I hope Sri Lankan will not ask for COMMISSION for promoting inland connections in Australia. Commission is an infection that is fast spreading in Sri Lanka

Fred Friday, 29 September 2023 09:08 AM

Good news.Please keep the good name of the country intact by rising to Australian standards and the relationship will prosper

Ceylonese Friday, 29 September 2023 09:10 AM

Very soon there's going to be quite a competition on this route when rewamped Air India receives it's fleet of 470 new aircrafts from Boeing as there is a very large population of Indian immigrants too in Australia. As a result the price of air tickets also should be cheaper.

Terrence K Friday, 29 September 2023 09:23 AM

Partnerships are great to resuscitate Sri Lankan airlines but the question remains the colossal losses in the past will be a stumbling block and interference by the ruling politicians will not take us off the pathetic state the Airline is at the moment. We need professionals with Integrity , dynamism and Transparency and non interference by the Rajapakse Regime and their henchmen to make an U turn focussing on the profitability of the airline whilst concentrating to wipe out the debts taken in the past. With this concerted strategy we can see light at the end of the tunnel.!!!!!!

Ron hardy Friday, 29 September 2023 01:31 PM

Great news for sri Lankan and sri lankan Airlines this Airlines have done a fantastic job well over 40yrs full credit for the staff and management some staff had played a sheet Anchor roll to keep the Air lines operating hope if all goes we'll sri Lankan airlines can be a one of the best wish all good luck for future....Airlines and staff well deserve...

manusha Friday, 29 September 2023 05:38 PM

This will be the downfall of virgin australia

Jeanne Friday, 29 September 2023 06:23 PM

It's the first step towards resuscitating SL Airlines that's so close to drawing its last breath! @Jude : It's highly disappointing that you always see the glass as half empty :(

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SriLankan Airlines partners with Virgin Australia

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