Mihin Lanka starts flights to Dhaka

Mihin Lanka, a low-cost airline of Sri Lanka, started direct flights to Dhaka yesterday with Airbus A320 aircraft, said a statement.
The flights will be operated on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Sundays, the statement added.
The inaugural flight departed Colombo at 7:30am with 150 passengers and arrived in Dhaka at 11:25am. Later it left Dhaka at 12:25pm with 103 passengers and reached back home at 3:05pm.
Sarath K Weragoda, Sri Lankan high commissioner, and Mizanur Rahman and Kazi Zahurul Qyyum, directors for Wings Aviation Ltd, general sales agent of Mihin Lanka in Bangladesh, welcomed the inaugural flight's passengers.
C Munasinge, first secretary and head of chancery of Sri Lankan high commission, was also present.
The Airbus A320 is configured with 177 all economy class seats.
To celebrate the launch, the airline offers a special fare for Dhaka-Colombo-Dhaka route of $449 and Dhaka-Colombo-Male-Colombo-Dhaka of $506, inclusive of all taxes.
Mihin Lanka is the second airline owned by the government of Sri Lanka besides SriLankan, the flagship carrier.
Though the airline operates on low-cost carrier concept with single configuration -- all economy class -- it also offers meals in flight. Duty-free items are also sold on board.
Mihin Lanka started operations on April 24, 2007 with a flight to Dubai in UAE. Its international flights start at Bandaranaike International Airport.