Korean Air has launched a direct service flying from Sri Lanka and the Maldives to Seoul Incheon, expanding its network to countries in the Indian Ocean.

Korean Air’s new three times weekly direct service flies from Male in the Maldives to Colombo in Sri Lanka first, and then onto Seoul/Incheon in Korea. The Male-Colombo-Seoul/Incheon flights operate every Tuesday, Thursday and Sunday.

Flight KE 474 departs from Male at 15:30 and arrives in Colombo at 17:30; the flight then departs from Colombo at 18:50 and arrives in Seoul/Incheon at 06:10 the next day. On the return flight, KE473 departs Seoul/Incheon at 22:40 and arrives in Colombo at 04:10 the next day. The flight then continues its journey departing from Colombo at 05:40, arriving in Male at 06:40 the same day.

Korean Air’s new Male-Colombo-Seoul/Incheon route is operated with an Airbus 330-300, seating 276 passengers and equipped with Korean Air’s premium seats. First Class has six Sleeper Seats - the 180 degree full-flat beds with an 83-inch pitch and a 21-inch widthflight.

Prestige (Business) Class has 18 full-flat Prestige Sleeper Seats with a 78~80-inch pitch and extra-large seat partitions offering comfort and privacy. Passengers in all classes can enjoy the new AVOD (Audio and Video on Demand) system that offers upgraded in-flight entertainment with high resolution and a high processing speed which ensures quick passenger access to entertainment services.'

Chang Hoon Chi, the President and COO of Korean Air, said: “It is a great pleasure for me to announce that Korean Air has restarted its service to Sri Lanka and has also extended the route so that it now flies to the Maldives. I hope that Korean Air’s new service to Colombo and Male will pave the way for an increased exchange in passenger traffic between the nations and create economic benefits between Korea and countries in the Indian Ocean, including with Sri Lanka and the Maldives.”

With the launch of the new route, the demand for both business and leisure travel to and from the Maldives, Sri Lanka and South India is expected to increase. Korean Air’s new service will also enhance the relationship between Korea and countries in the Indian Ocean and help improve Korea’s ties to the region. (Travel News)