Cyprus Airways teams with Allied Lanka

International carrier, Cyprus Airways, which is to launch a twice-weekly, non-stop, Dubai-Colombo service this month, has tied up with GSA Allied Lanka Travels (Pvt) Ltd., part of Sri Lanka’s giant Green Lanka Group, to provide a range of support for its first service into the Indian Sub-continent.

“While Sri Lankan Airlines will be the official airport ground handler, Allied Lanka will provide a range of services in line with their General Sales Agency (GSA) status but will also carry out numerous support roles,” said Stavros Kyprianou, Cyprus Airway’s Middle East and Gulf Chief. “These include marketing, sales, distribution, administration and accounting support, as well as ticketing and reservations, travel agency support and airport handling supervision.”

The move comes as the airline gears up for the launch of its first service outside the Middle East and Europe, to which it operates to more than 30 destinations. 

“The initial response to our service, which begins on November 19, has been highly encouraging from the labour market as well as the leisure and business sectors,” said Kyprianou. “With the help of Allied Lanka Travels, we will develop a range of inbound tours and packages to Sri Lanka, which we believe will appeal to our customers from Europe, Cyprus and the Middle East.”

“The launch of Cyprus Airways flights to Sri Lanka will further enhance our island’s tourism industry,” said Madame Norma Nayakkara, Chairperson of the Green Lanka Group. “We envisage the airline helping to increase arrivals from Europe, the Mediterranean and the Middle East. Sri Lanka will appeal to these markets because of its excellent value-for money, its climate, cultural and leisure attractions.”