Air China starts direct flights to Colombo

Air China, the flag carrier and one of the People’s Republic of China’s major airlines, yesterday began direct flights from Chengdu to Colombo.
Jetwing Air, a part of the Jetwing family, acts as the airline’s General Sales Agent (GSA) and will overlook reservations within Sri Lanka.
The inaugural flight was welcomed by Ports, Shipping and Aviation Minister Arjuna Ranatunga, Chinese Ambassador Wu Jianghao, Jetwing Chairman Hiran Cooray, Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau Chairman Rohantha Athukorala and other officials,
Air China will operate four weekly direct flights from Tuesday to Sunday using Airbus A330 aircraft to Colombo. The flights will operate from Chengdu, a major air hub in southwest China linking 187 cities including 78 international routes.

Air China…
With Sri Lanka achieving tourism milestones with 1.5 million tourist arrivals for 2014, the Chinese market is certainly a growing one – having increased rapidly in the last two years.
A representative of Air China said: “This is the first service from Chengdu to a Sri Lankan city, marking an important step towards the construction of the flag carrier’s Chengdu hub.”
Adding to the statement, Jetwing Travels Managing Director Shiromal Cooray welcomed the initiative, saying that “it is a new bridge connecting two great cultures, and enhancing the benefits of tourism for both countries”.
Owned and operated by Sri Lanka’s premier hospitality brand, Jetwing Air functions as the representative of Air China in the country.
Currently acting as the GSA for approximately 13 airlines including SpiceJet, FlyDubai, Bangkok Airways, Hahn Air and EgyptAir, Jetwing Air is also connected to the global distribution systems of Amadeus and Galileo, making the company a preferred overseas travel partner.