SriLankan Airlines leverages India demand with flexible operations & premium focus

SriLankan Airlines is witnessing strong momentum from the Indian market, driven by rising outbound demand, evolving traveller preferences and a competitive edge, according to Fawzan Fareid, Regional Manager, India, Bangladesh & Nepal, speaking exclusively to T3.

India market drives growth

“India being our immediate neighbour, at SriLankan Airlines, we look up at India always,” he said, pointing to the country’s rapidly evolving aviation landscape, expanding economy and increasing spending power. He noted that a growing number of Indians are seeking new destinations, with Sri Lanka emerging as a value-driven alternative. “People have found that going to Sri Lanka is cheaper than going to Goa or Kerala, considering airfare, ticket price and the time they are going to spend. Even if they have to add a little more money, they still go to an international destination.”

Strong surge in Indian arrivals

The airline has recorded robust year-on-year growth in Indian arrivals to Sri Lanka. “Sri Lanka had around 458,000 Indian travellers travelling to Colombo in 2024, which has grown to 531,000 in 2025. So, we are talking about nearly about almost 100,000 growth. That is a huge number,” Fareid shared. 

He added that the market pie in India is spread out, but South India continues to be a key driver, with cities such as Hyderabad, Bengaluru, Tamil Nadu and Kerala showing strong traction. Notably, Kerala has recorded a 149% year-on-year growth, with geographical similarities with Sri Lanka.

Targeting the younger traveller

Highlighting evolving traveller segments, he said the airline is adapting to the preferences of younger audiences. “We realise that the requirements of Gen Z or the younger crowd is totally different. Sri Lanka is offering something unique for those crowds, whether it is partying in Colombo or celebrating occasions like birthdays, or holidays.”

Focus on strengthening network

On network strategy, Fareid emphasised consolidation over expansion. “We are currently operating to nine cities in India, covering metros such as New Delhi, Mumbai, Hyderabad, Bengaluru, Chennai, Cochin, Trivandrum, Madurai and Tiruchirappalli,” shared Fareid. “We see people are very comfortable in transiting through these points, there is no reason for us to think of adding more destinations than strengthening the current operations within India. From 2024, we have added nearly about 10 additional frequencies. Our primary objective is to strengthen the current locations and add more capacity.”

 

Key differentiator in India market

A key differentiator for the airline remains its operational flexibility. “We have a mix of widebodies and narrowbodies operating based on demand. Since we have both in operation, we are in a position to cater to larger groups, in a short notice.”

“For example, if 200 people want to travel at once, we can simply change the aircraft and accommodate them. No other airline can offer this kind of flexibility,” he said. This capability is particularly relevant for corporate, incentive and wedding travel, where large groups need to travel together within short timeframes.

Premium demand on the rise

Fareid also highlighted strong demand for premium services. “We are one of the carriers offering both business and economy class, and there is always a niche segment that prefers differentiation. We have achieved up to a 98 per cent business class cabin factor and consistently cross 85 per cent, which is substantial.” He cited the example of Chennai, where a 55-minute flight operates with a 28-seat business class configuration. “Servicing 28 business class passengers within 55 minutes is not easy, but that is where we differentiate. We cater specifically to customer requirements.”

Personalisation, he added, is becoming increasingly important. “For corporate travel, if clients want customised elements such as branded seat covers, we accommodate those requests. Personalisation is absolutely part of the offering.”