Asian – Dispatch

In parallel with route expansion, SriLankan is looking to broaden its partnership with Air India, building on an existing codeshare agreement.

COLOMBO– SriLankan Airlines (UL) is set to launch direct flights between Colombo (CMB) and Ahmedabad (AMD) within the next three months, reinforcing its footprint in the Indian aviation market and advancing strategic ties with Air India (AI).

The addition of Ahmedabad marks a major expansion for SriLankan’s India network, bringing the total number of Indian cities served to ten.

SriLankan Airlines’ Head of Commercial, Dimuthu Tennakoon, announced the planned service at a press briefing, citing India’s importance as a core market for the carrier.

With Indians accounting for a large share of its annual passengers, UL’s direct link to Ahmedabad is expected to strengthen business, tourism, and cultural travel flows between India and Sri Lanka.

SriLankan Airlines Adds Flight to Ahmedabad

The planned Colombo to Ahmedabad flights are scheduled to operate four times per week, subject to regulatory approvals.

This new route is part of SriLankan Airlines’ broader strategy to deepen engagement with India’s rapidly growing aviation demand.

When operational, the Ahmedabad service will expand SriLankan’s weekly India flights from 89 to 93, enhancing connectivity to a mix of northern and western Indian markets.

This move underscores the carrier’s intent to balance frequency with route diversification while leveraging strong cultural and economic ties.

India Market Focus for SriLankan Airlines

India remains the largest international market for SriLankan Airlines, contributing significantly to passenger volumes and inbound tourism.

According to UL’s latest traffic figures, Indian travellers represented roughly 30 percent of the airline’s total passengers in 2025, and almost a quarter of visitor arrivals in Sri Lanka, Telegraph India reported.

With Ahmedabad on the network map, SriLankan Airlines will serve six out of India’s eight major metropolitan hubs. This expansion not only connects Gujarati business and leisure travellers directly to Sri Lanka but also strengthens onward connectivity across UL’s broader global network.

The Ahmedabad link is expected to uplift Indian passenger traffic across SriLankan’s routes by an estimated 12 percent, reflecting pent-up demand for direct connections and facilitating smoother travel for both frequent flyers and first-time visitors.

Flight Network Expansion

Aside from the new Ahmedabad service, SriLankan Airlines currently operates flights between Colombo and major Indian cities, including Chennai, Mumbai, Delhi, Hyderabad, Bengaluru, Kochi, Trivandrum, Madurai, and Tiruchirappalli.

These services form a core part of UL’s India-centric network, offering gateways for both leisure and business travel.

The airline’s current fleet of 23 aircraft, comprising both wide-body and narrow-body jets, underpins this network and supports its growth ambitions across South Asia and beyond.

Partnership Growth Plans

In parallel with route expansion, SriLankan is looking to broaden its partnership with Air India, building on an existing codeshare agreement.

Such collaborations enable airlines to offer passengers seamless travel on coordinated flight schedules and single-ticket itineraries, enhancing convenience and network reach.

Strengthening ties with Air India could lead to more joint services, reciprocal benefits, and potentially new interline or codeshare markets, aligning with broader regional aviation integration trends.

The launch of Colombo–Ahmedabad flights and expanded industry partnerships represent a concerted effort by SriLankan Airlines to capitalize on burgeoning India–Sri Lanka travel demand, diversify its route offerings, and deliver enhanced value to international travelers.

Source: Aviation A2Z