Sara Pathirana
Two leading Chinese airlines; Air China and China Eastern are set to add Colombo to their direct flights radar and will take to the air by mid February 2015. These two additions will be added to form part of the four direct flight destinations between Sri Lanka and China, done through Sri Lankan Airlines. This initiation was a result of negotiations and a special request that was extended by officials of the Sri Lanka Trade and Investment Promotion Chamber to the relevant Chinese officials.
"These new connections will add an advantageous streak for Sri Lankans who will look forward to travel especially to provinces such as Chengdu and Sichuan. With our goal towards encouraging Sri Lankan businessmen to set up trade in Chengdu, this is a timely occurrence which will no doubt benefit travellers between the two countries," the Chamber's President and Advisor for Chengdu Economic and Trade Cooperation, Nihal Aluvihare said.
Air China operates 298 passenger routes which include 71 international routes, 15 regional routes and 212 domestic routes covering 31 countries and regions, and 154 cities.
China Eastern Air Holding Company is one of the three largest major state-owned air transport companies in China. The airline has also extended its flight network from Shanghai to 1064 cities in 178 countries airlines.
From : Daily News - http://www.dailynews.lk/?q=business/air-china-china-eastern-airlines-call-colombo
