Airlines pile on Sri Lanka surcharge

ka have hit operators with a £60 surcharge per return flight due to increased insurance premiums following the attack on the island’s main airport last month.

Premium Holidays product director Rob Haynes said: “We are obliged to tell clients the reason for the surcharge. The fact it has been imposed because Colombo is now high risk will do nothing to allay the fears of visitors.”

Kuoni product director Francis Torrilla said the company was not passing on the surcharge to consumers.

The news comes as the Sri Lankan Tourist Board prepares to launch a global marketing campaign to woo tourists back to the county.

Haynes said the campaign was badly timed, especially as the Foreign Office is still advising tourists to stay away.