Sri Lankan News

Mihin Lanka has begun making monthly profits after breaking even last August.

Kapila Chandrasena, Chief Executive of Mihin Lanka said they were making profits. However, he said they still need to recoup previous losses. He emphasized that they are going in the right direction. He told the media that the airline’s income had gone up while it has managed to cut costs. The airline aims to reduce costs further by hiring pilots from the air force, now that the war is over.

He said they also aim to lure tourists who now visit Buddhist sites in India via Bangkok. Chandrasena said the airline was maximizing earnings on its sole aircraft, operating at about 80 percent capacity, and hopes to lease a second one soon.

It flies to five destinations in India and the Middle East catering mainly to migrant workers and Buddhist pilgrims. Mihin Lanka competes with foreign budget carriers and Middle Eastern airlines.

Chandrasena said flights to Buddha Gaya in India were full till April and the airline hopes to raise the frequency to three flights a week in August.