Better late than never: SriLankan Airlines puts safety first amid expansion
At a time when India and the wider world have witnessed a spike in air crashes and aviation-related incidents, SriLankan Airlines is reinforcing a clear message: safety comes before schedules. Embracing what it calls a “better late than never” approach, the national carrier of SriLanka says operational delays are a small price to pay for uncompromised passenger security.
Speaking to The Pioneer on the sidelines of the airline’s Gujarat route announcement in New Delhi, Airlines Commercial Head Dimuthu Tennakoon emphasised that safety remains non-negotiable. “We don’t compromise on safety concerns. We understand that delays can be inconvenient, but safety always comes first,” he said. As 2026 unfolds, SriLankan Airlines is preparing to scale up its weekly services across India. The carrier currently operates in nine Indian cities — Chennai, Mumbai, Delhi, Hyderabad, Bengaluru, Kochi, Thiruvananthapuram, Madurai and Tiruchirappalli.
Soon, Ahmedabad will join as the airline’s tenth Indian destination, marking a significant step in strengthening connectivity between the two neighbours.
With the addition of Ahmedabad, the airline will serve six of India’s eight major metropolitan hubs. The move is expected to diversify its India portfolio, improve route economics through steady year-round demand, and capitalise on deep-rooted cultural and commercial ties. The airline projects that these initiatives could boost Indian passenger traffic across its network by up to 12 percent this year.
India remains SriLankan Airlines’ single largest market, contributing nearly 30 percent of total passenger traffic and 23 percent of overall tourist arrivals to the island nation. The airline plans targeted strategic initiatives to further enhance connectivity and reinforce bilateral ties. Colombo continues to function as a critical transit hub, with nearly 30 percent of Indian travellers connecting onward via Colombo. From there, passengers gain seamless access to destinations across the Middle East, Maldives, Far East, Europe and Australia through the airline’s own services and codeshare partnerships.
The airline is positioning itself as a preferred choice for Indian travellers flying for leisure, business, trade, family visits and destination events, including weddings.
SriLankan Airlines works closely with the SriLanka Tourism Promotion Bureau and the SriLanka Tourism Development Authority to align aviation growth with national tourism ambitions. Their joint promotional efforts highlight SriLanka’s appeal to Indian travellers — from beaches and wildlife to wellness retreats, cuisine, festivals and spiritual heritage. A recent highlight is the airline’s award-winning Ramayana Trail campaign, inspired by the ancient Indian epic Ramayana. The initiative invites travellers to explore legendary sites across SriLanka associated with the epic’s narrative, tapping into shared mythology and emotional connect between the two nations.
While aggressive route expansion and passenger growth remain key objectives for 2026, SriLankan Airlines maintains that operational discipline and safety oversight will anchor its strategy.
In an era of heightened scrutiny on aviation safety, the airline’s “better late than never” philosophy signals a deliberate choice — that in the skies, caution outweighs convenience.
