Qatar Airways increased the number of flights to Sri Lanka by introducing its fifth daily flight from Doha to Colombo on Thursday (24).

The additional frequency will support increased travel demand to and from Sri Lanka, reinforcing the airline’s role in assisting the ongoing recovery of global travel and tourism in the region. 

With this frequency increase, Qatar Airways will be one of the first international carriers to return to its pre-pandemic operations to Colombo. It is also the only airline to have continued uninterrupted services between Hamad International Airport (HIA) and Bandaranaike International Airport (CMB). 

Passengers will be able to enjoy Qatar Airways’ world-renowned in-flight services onboard its flights while exploring one of the most vibrant cities in South Asia. 

“This is a significant milestone and another testament to the airline’s efforts in leading the industry’s recovery from the pandemic. The additional frequency heralds the start of renewed optimism in travel and tourism to the island and cements the close ties between our countries,” said Qatar Airways Group Chief Executive Akbar Al Baker. The increased frequency comes as a response to the rising demand for travelling to and from Sri Lanka via Europe, the Americas, Middle East and Africa, the airline said. 

The additional non-stop daily flight will add more than 1,000 seats to the current weekly capacity. It will enable more passengers to seamlessly connect to over 140 destinations within the airline’s extensive global network. The destinations include those in Italy, the UK, Switzerland, France, Canada, the US, Oman, Jordan and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA). 

A multiple award-winning airline, Qatar Airways was announced as the Airline of the Year at the 2021 World Airline Awards, managed by the international air transport rating organisation Skytrax. 

It was also named as World’s Best Business Class, World’s Best Business Class Airline Lounge, World’s Best Business Class Airline Seat, World’s Best Business Class Onboard Catering and Best Airline in the Middle East. 
The airline continues to stand alone at the top of the industry having won the main prize for an unprecedented sixth time.

Qatar Airways has also become the first global airline in the world to achieve the prestigious Five-Star COVID-19 Airline Safety Rating by Skytrax. 

This follows the success of HIA as the first airport in the Middle East and Asia to be awarded a Skytrax Five-Star COVID-19 Airport Safety Rating.