SriLankan Airlines and Axis Bank have announced a historic travel alliance aimed at enriching international travel experiences for Indian customers. This partnership, a first of its kind, will provide Axis Bank’s 15 million cardholders with exclusive benefits, including low fares and additional travel perks. The alliance will offer a 10 percent discount on Business and Economy Class fares booked online from SriLankan Airlines’ website for travel from India to Colombo and beyond to destinations in the Middle East, Far East, Maldives, and Europe.
Cardholders will also receive an additional 5kg baggage allowance on flights to Melbourne. According to Richard Nuttall, CEO of SriLankan Airlines, this alliance is not just about savings, but about changing the way Indians travel. The partnership aims to boost travel between India and Sri Lanka, with 88 weekly flights connecting nine Indian cities to Colombo and beyond.
Sanjeev Moghe, Axis Bank President & Head – Cards & Payments, expressed his enthusiasm for the partnership, stating that it will make travel more convenient while increasing cultural and economic exchange between India and Sri Lanka. As the first private Indian bank to introduce such a program with SriLankan Airlines, Axis Bank is opening doors to global travel for its customers.
The move is seen as a strategic attempt to stimulate post-pandemic travel demand and fuel tourism development in Sri Lanka. Analysts believe that this tie-up sets a precedent for further airline-bank integrations in South Asia, involving convenience, cost savings, and strategic economic alignment. With SriLankan Airlines doubling its bet on India as a core market, the partnership is expected to have a significant impact on the travel industry in the region.
The key highlights of the partnership include exclusive discounts, additional baggage allowance, and increased global access for Axis Bank cardholders. The alliance is a significant development in the travel industry, and its impact will be closely watched in the coming months. As the travel industry continues to recover from the pandemic, such partnerships are likely to play a crucial role in shaping the future of travel in the region.