SriLankan Airlines has reaffirmed its long-standing mission to bring India closer to Sri Lanka and the world, announcing expansion plans that strengthen its position in one of its most important markets. The airline currently operates close to 90 weekly flights between the two countries, connecting major and secondary Indian cities with Colombo, and will introduce Ahmedabad as its newest destination later this year.
India accounts for nearly 30 per cent of SriLankan Airlines’ total passenger traffic and 23 per cent of all international visitor arrivals to Sri Lanka. The carrier serves Chennai, Mumbai, Delhi, Hyderabad, Bengaluru, Kochi, Thiruvananthapuram, Madurai and Tiruchirappalli, and will soon expand to Ahmedabad – its tenth Indian city. With this addition, SriLankan will cover six of India’s eight major metropolitan hubs, driving a projected 12 per cent increase in Indian passenger traffic across its network in 2026.
The airline’s India strategy continues to balance connectivity between metro centres and emerging cities, supporting tourism and trade flows across regions. Around 30 per cent of Indian passengers transit via Colombo to onward destinations in the Middle East, the Maldives, the Far East, Europe and Australia through SriLankan’s own and codeshare services.
SriLankan Airlines works in close collaboration with the Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau, the Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority and trade partners to support the country’s tourism goals. Its campaigns position Sri Lanka as a versatile destination offering cultural festivals, beaches, wellness, cuisine, wildlife, history and spirituality. Among its recent initiatives is the award-winning Ramayana Trail campaign – a storytelling-led promotion that invites Indian travellers to explore iconic sites connected to the ancient epic.
Approximately 60 per cent of SriLankan’s bookings from India are made through indirect channels, including travel agents and online intermediaries, with the rest via direct digital channels. The airline continues to enhance its digital capabilities while nurturing its strong trade relationships across India.
