UL resumes direct flights to Frankfurt to boost tourist arrivals

• SL Embassy in Berlin together with SL Tourism coordinates visit of a group of German and Swiss tourists 

Sri Lanka welcomed the first group of tourists from Germany and Switzerland last week (January 21), flown in by national carrier SriLankan Airlines, which resumed direct flights from Frankfurt, after a lapse of more than four years.

The Frankfurt-Colombo route was resumed with the Sri Lankan Embassy in Germany, promoting the island nation as a safe and secure tourism destination.

According to a statement issued to the media, the visit was arranged by the Sri Lanka Embassy in Berlin, in collaboration with Sri Lanka Tourism.

With the flight that arrived last Thursday, SriLankan Airlines is scheduled to operate two direct flights per week to increase tourist arrivals from Germany.

“Being the second highest tourist arrivals market from Europe, this will be a significant point to increase businesses in the German market,” the statement said.

Earlier this month, the Tourism Ministry said it was in discussion with SriLankan Airlines to resume services to Frankfurt, Germany and Paris, France, as the two are considered key hubs for the Europe region and direct flights would help increase arrivals. 

The Tourism Minister stated that the government would consider subsidising the flights if necessary. End-2016, SriLankan Airlines suspended operations to Paris and Frankfurt, as it was considered that the routes were not economically feasible to continue.