Mihin Lanka’s third flight to meet increase in demand |03 November 2014

The increase in the number of flights of Mihin Lanka between Seychelles and Colombo is due to the airline doing well here and because there has been significant increases in both cabin factor, outward traffic to other destinations and point to point business between the two islands.
This has resulted in opportunities for both Sri Lankans and Seychellois to travel and enjoy each other’s country with an attractive flying time between three to four hours.

The chairman and chief executive of Mihin Lanka (Private) Ltd, Nishanta Ranatunga said this while talking to Seychelles Nation journalist at his office in Colombo on the occasion of the launch of Mihin Lanka’s third weekly flight to Seychelles which arrived on Thursday afternoon.  

He was accompanied by the airline’s head of commercial Rohanna Perera and Asanka Fernando, head of sales.

Seychelles flyers who wish to travel to Colombo now have an option of three flights per week to choose from.
The increased frequencies have given both the business community and leisure travellers more choices and option when booking their flights with Mihin Lanka rather than the previous two frequencies per week.

The airline has recorded increases in both passenger and cargo and the demand is increasing day by day. It has been carrying lots of goods to Seychelles, taking three tonnes of cargo per flight.

“So there are lots of opportunities for Sri Lankan exporters to send their products to Seychelles and onwards,” he said.
Elaborating on the services Mihin Lanka offers, Mr Ranatunga said that Sri Lankan Airlines is their partner.

“They take our passengers to India, the Far East and Europe. So connectivity-wise we have very good understanding with Sri Lankan Airlines to give minimum stay in Sri Lanka of passengers travelling on Mihin Lanka from different destinations,” said the chairman.

Sri Lankan Airlines covers both Indian sub-continent, the Far East including China and also Europe while Mihin Lanka is code-sharing over twenty destinations with Sri Lankan Airlines.

“We are not just a budget airline. We provide food, baggage policy better than normal budget airlines. We also have the luxury of offering a business class service,” he noted.

Regarding the forthcoming International Food, Hotel Supplies and Trade Exhibition to be held in Seychelles and where Mihin Lanka is the official airline for the event, Mr Ranatunga said the airline has given 25% to all those taking part and 50% to all organisers. The airline also intends to facilitate their goods they need to carry to the Seychelles for the event.

The main organiser of the exhibition is CDC Events & Travels (Pvt) Ltd, another Sri Lankan company.
Mr Ranatunga is also encouraging people from Seychelles to come visit Sri Lanka for its heritage, culture and shopping, adding that compared to other places in the world, the place is safe.

Sri Lanka also offers very good medical facilities which Seychellois can make good use of.
Mihin Lanka offers a range of services on its flights which include special meals, free baggage allowance and booking through GDS, business class facility on board its Seychelles-Colombo-Seychelles flights.

Though a low cost airline, its services are on par with some of the major airlines that offer full frill ones. It is the only low cost carrier that offers free baggage allowance of 20kg (plus 7kg hand luggage) and where passengers can carry additional baggage for a nominal fee.

Maryline Julie in Colombo