SriLankan Airlines to resume flights to Paris

SriLankan Airlines, with tourist arrivals expected to pick by for the coming winter season, is resuming scheduled flights between Colombo and France from November 1, after a 5-year suspension.

The airline said in a media release on Monday that SriLankan would commence thrice weekly, non-stop flights to France every Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday using a fleet of Airbus A330-300 aircraft configured for 269 economy and 28 business class seats. The flight time is around 11 hours and 25 minutes and Flight UL563 is scheduled to depart Colombo at 00:35 hours and arrive in Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport at 07:30 hours.  The return flight UL564 is scheduled to depart Paris on the same day at 14:30 hours and arrive in Colombo at 05:20 hours the next day.

SriLankan Airlines Chairman, Ashok Pathirage said, “We are delighted to launch direct services between Colombo and Paris. The new route is indicative of our continuous commitment to enhance our network and the travel experience of passengers both in France and around the world.”

SriLankan Airlines ceased its operations to Paris in November 2016 but operated provisional passenger and cargo flights during the pandemic in July and September 2020.

"As more international destinations ease travel restrictions, SriLankan Airlines is revving up its services to provide more choice and convenience for passengers. Paris is a hub for the rest of Europe, and direct flights will boost tourist arrivals during the winter season," noted SriLankan Airlines’ CEO Vipula Gunatilleka.