Sri Lanka’s state-run national carrier SriLankan Airlines, said it had broadened a code share deal with UK’s bmi following the relaxation of British travel advice following the end of a war.

Bmi will shortly begin codesharing on flights between London, Colombo and Male operated by SriLankan, the airline said.

SriLankan and bmi have had a codeshare partnership since 2004. A code-share allows passengers of one airline to book and fly on designated flights of the other, effectively expanding its network.

SriLankan’s passengers on the Colombo-London route could fly on the same ticket to eight bmi destinations; Manchester, Bradford, Glasgow, Edinburgh, Amsterdam, Brussels, Dublin, and Belfast.

SriLankan’s Head of worldwide sales, Mohamed Fazeel said the expanded code share deal will strengthen British tourist arrivals to Sri Lanka with a top UK airline selling tickets to the country.

“This partnership also indicates the potential of Sri Lanka being rapidly recognised as a destination of choice among other European airlines and tour operators,” Fazeel said.

[LBO]