ESCALATING global oil prices caused SriLankan Airlines’ operating costs to rise by at least US$30 million in the three months leading up to April, according to the airline’s CEO, Manoj Gunawardene.
Oil prices rose from US$95 to US$125 per barrel during this period, burdening the airline with an extra US$10 million per month in operating costs, he said.
Since April, the airline has imposed a fuel surcharge on airfares.
Speaking to journalists while onboard the national carrier’s new Airbus A320-200’s maiden journey from France to Colombo last week, Gunawardene said while the financial status and outlook of the organisation remained stable, the last quarter had been a challenging one due to the fuel price fluctuations.
Meanwhile, SriLankan Airlines is planning to launch flights to Moscow on September 15, its first ever service to Russia and the former Soviet states, Aviation Minister Priyankara Jayaratne was quoted as saying in Colombo-based Daily News.
The paper said Moscow would be the national carrier’s 52nd destination. The airline will fly to the destination twice-weekly via Dubai.
