Qatar Airways and Sri Lankan Airlines Announce Significant Codeshare Expansion

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The agreement will open more destinations on the Qatar Airways network to Sri Lankan Airlines’ passengers

Flights to the island of Gan in the Maldives will be available to Qatar Airways’ passengers for the first time

16 December 2019

DOHA, Qatar – Qatar Airways is pleased to announce expanded codeshare cooperation with Sri Lankan Airlines, starting from 23 December. This new codeshare agreement will strengthen the two airlines’ strategic partnership, first initiated in 2016.

The expanded codeshare agreement will be rolled out in phases and once fully implemented will allow Sri Lankan Airlines’ passengers to book travel to 33 additional Qatar Airways destinations* in Europe, America, and Africa. Combined with the two airlines’ existing codeshare agreement, this brings the total Qatar Airways destinations offered under Sri Lankan Airlines’ flight numbers to 53.

Phase one has opened for sale today for travel starting on 23 December with Sri  Lankan Airline passengers able to book travel to eight additional Qatar Airways’ destinations – Athens, Greece; Belgrade, Serbia; Brussels, Belgium; Dublin, Ireland; Helsinki, Finland; Munich, Germany; Prague, Czech Republic and Thessaloniki, Greece.

Qatar Airways’ passengers will benefit from access to exciting new destinations in the Maldives thanks to the expanded codeshare agreement. They will now be able to book travel on Sri Lankan Airlines’ flights to the island of Gan in Addu Atoll, the southernmost point of the Maldives. The new destination complements the existing Sri Lankan Airlines’ routes available to Qatar Airways passengers – Colombo in Sri Lanka and Malé in the Maldives.

Qatar Airways Group Chief Executive, His Excellency Mr. Akbar Al Baker, said: “Since 2016 both airlines have witnessed the significant benefits codeshare cooperation has brought, providing passengers with unrivalled service and seamless connections. The expansion of codeshare cooperation between Qatar Airways and Sri Lankan Airlines is a natural next step in the strengthening of our close partnership.”

Sri Lankan Airlines Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Vipula Gunatilleka, said: “We are delighted to further strengthen the bonds of our long-time partnership with our fellow oneworld member Qatar Airways, and feel certain that the valued passengers of both our airlines will reap the benefits of this close co-operation.”

Qatar Airways began flying to Colombo, Sri Lanka in 1994. Today, it is one of the airline’s most popular routes, served by a four-times daily service. In 2016, Qatar Airways and Sri Lankan Airlines announced a codeshare agreement to provide greater connectivity and new destinations to their passengers.

A multiple award-winning airline, Qatar Airways was named ‘World’s Best Airline’ by the 2019 World Airline Awards, managed by the international air transport rating organisation Skytrax. It was also named ‘Best Airline in the Middle East’, ‘World’s Best Business Class’, and ‘Best Business Class Seat’, in recognition of its ground-breaking Business Class experience, Qsuite. It is the only airline to have been awarded the coveted “Skytrax Airline of the Year” title, which is recognised as the pinnacle of excellence in the airline industry, five times.

Qatar Airways currently operates a modern fleet of more than 250 aircraft via its hub, Hamad International Airport (HIA), to more than 160 destinations worldwide. The world’s fastest-growing airline has added a number of exciting new destinations to its growing network this year, including Rabat, Morocco; Izmir, Turkey; Malta; Davao, Philippines; Lisbon, Portugal; Mogadishu, Somalia; and Langkawi, Malaysia. The airline will add Gaborone, Botswana, in 2019 to its extensive route network along with Luanda, Angola; and Osaka, Japan, in 2020.

Sri Lankan Airlines serves 109 destinations in 48 countries from its hub, Bandaranaike International Airport in Colombo (CMB). As oneworld alliance partners, customers of both airlines are ensured recognition of their frequent-flyer status and benefits including access to lounges worldwide, through check-in, extra baggage allowance, plus accrual and redemption of miles, priority check-in and boarding across the carriers’ networks.

*Subject to regulatory approval.