National carrier, Gulf Air resumed yesterday its services to the Sri Lankan capital city of Colombo after a gap of eight years.
"Now that peace has returned to the island, the time has come for us to re-connect with Sri Lanka," said an elated Chief Executive of Gulf Air, Samer Majali.
He said Sri Lanka's economy was bouncing back to its dynamic past.
"There is a huge business and tourism potential for both countries as we recommence services."
The inaugural flight took off from Bahrain International Airport carrying Samer Majali and a team of officials and journalists, and was seen off by senior officials from Bahrain Civil Aviation Authority, Bahrain Airport Company and Gulf Air.
Majali said Bahrain's 'business friendly' economic policies and its strategic location at the doorstep of Saudi Arabia offered Sri Lankan business community acess to a multi-million dollar business market.
"Our relationship with Sri Lanka started nearly 35 years ago when we started our services to the capital Colombo in 1976 and flew until 2002. We were a key link for hundreds of Sri Lankan businessmen exporting goods ranging from tea, coffee, coconuts, rubber to cinnamon to Bahrain and beyond in the Middle East region."
"Over the years, Gulf Air has been the favourite airline not only for thousands of Sri Lankans living and working in Bahrain but also for Bahrainis who have been flocking to this beautiful country for vacation for many years."
By K.V.S. Madhav
© Bahrain Tribune 2010
