SriLankan Airlines to suspend all operations for two weeks

Thursday, April 2, 2020

Sri Lanka’s flag carrier SriLankan Airlines has decided to suspend all operations for nearly two weeks. The airline mentioned that the decision has arrived in the bleak times caused by the coronavirus pandemic. This is the biggest challenge faced by the carrier in its 40-year operating history.

The Colombo-based airline plans to suspend all passenger flights that are regularly scheduled between April 8 and April 21. However, cargo and rescue flights have been exempted from the restriction. The ban comes following coronavirus related travel restrictions governments have enforced at destinations to which the airline operates. However, the carrier has mentioned that it would resume services earlier if the situation gets better.

SriLankan Airlines said in a statement it is constantly reviewing the market conditions and the restrictions imposed by the various authorities. It also mentioned that it will restart its operations at short notice even before April 21 if the travel restrictions undertaken as a response to the COVID-19 pandemic are lifted.

It said that despite facing numerous challenges its four-decade tenure, this is the most difficult and unfortunate period that the airline has witnessed. Almost every airline across the globe has been facing a similar crisis under the impact of coronavirus.

It also shared SriLankan has been fulfilling its duty as the national carrier ever since the outbreak of the pandemic. It has reached out to many Sri Lankans stranded abroad and brought them back home. In addition, the carrier carried essential items and medical aid. It has also mentioned that SriLankan would be ready to contribute in any national endeavor as required by the country to battle against the deadly coronavirus spread.

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