Sri Lankan Airlines to discontinue operations between Male

Sri Lankan Airlines has decided to discontinue the operation of its flights between Male’ and Europe, citing the high fees charged by airport operator GMR as a reason.

Managing Director of Ace Travels (Sri Lankan Airlines’ Agent in the Maldives) Mohamed Firaq said today that the Airline has indicated the threat of discontinuation of direct flights between Male’ and Europe as a result of the fee hike by GMR.

“They plan to discontinue the long haul flights as these operations hurt the Airline. Due to the increase in fees, the Airline incurs losses by having to refuel the planes here and flying to Europe. So they do not wish to operate in this manner,” Firaq said.

Sri Lankan Airlines operates direct flights from Male’ to London, Zurich and Tokyo.

Firaq said that flights via Colombo from Male’ to Paris, Moscow, Milan and Rome will operate as per normal.

This decision by an airline which carries 44,000 passengers to Maldives every month will decrease the number of days tourists spend in Maldives, says Firaq. It will also pose several other problems for tourists.

“This results in tourists having to transit in Colombo. I assume this will decrease the number of days they spend in Maldivian resorts. It will also reduce the arrival of tourists,” Firaq said.

Firaq said that Sri Lankan also plans to change their aircrafts from model A330 to A320. This decision is also a result of the high fuel prices at Male’ Airport.

Attempts to contact GMR on his matter have so far not been successful.

Qatar Airways has also announced its plans to discontinue its flights to Male’, citing the hike in airport fees to 51 percent as a reason.

GMR also increased the prices of jet fuel on about two occasions during the course of last year.