SriLankan Airlines future

The imminent shift to the country’s national airline being handled totally by Sri Lankans when Emirates gives up management control in March has drawn diverse views about the future of the airline.

Some in the leisure industry believe Sri Lankans have the skills and ability to run its national carrier – just like in the good old days before 1998 when Emirates took charge – while others are of the view that a foreign partner is essential due to the very competitive nature of the market.

“If we are looking at niche markets, maybe we can survive with foreign input – not otherwise,” one analyst said.

Emirates this week said it would pull out from managing SriLankan Airlines when the 10-year management agreement ends in March.

Analysts, who believe foreign input is necessary, say a foreign partner will ensure the airline is professionally run without political interference, one of the reasons why Emirates is abandoning management control.