Kochi: The number of travelers who fly to the Gulf countries via Colombo has been showing an upward trend. The advantage of travelling like this is that the passengers can save significantly on the ticket fares, compared to flying directly to the Gulf countries. They can save more than Rs 30,000 if they choose the layover route via Colombo.
Sri Lankan Airline’s flights from Kochi to Colombo are usually full. Even though it might take more than 24 hours to reach a destination like Kuwait, most people are willing as it would at least save them money. It was about one and a half years later that the Kochi – Colombo flight services had resumed recently. There are seven services in a week. Air Bus A 321 and 330 – 300 flights have been used in this route. Around 180 passengers can travel in Air Bus A 321 while up to 270 passengers can fly in 330 – 300. Both air planes are fully booked on most days.
One of the services of the Sri Lankan Airways starts at 10.15 am from Kochi and reaches Colombo at 11.30 am local time. Meanwhile, it starts at 6.20 pm and reaches Dubai at 9.35 pm. There is a layover of over 9 hours and 25 minutes at Dubai. The flight that starts at 7 am the next day reaches Kuwait at 7.50 am. The passengers have to take the Fly Dubai flight in the Dubai – Kuwait route. A passenger who starts from Kochi today would only reach Kuwait by tomorrow morning. Check in baggage up to 30 kilos would be allowed in all three flights.
What is layover?
In a layover, the journey is broken at a certain point in order to change air craft and the passenger continues to the destination on a different aircraft. It is short or a long stop between the connection flights. The layover could be from half an hour to as long as 23 hours and 59 minutes. In case you stop at a city for more than 24 hours during international flights, then it is called a stopover.
Ticket fares for the first week of November
Direct flights from Kochi to Kuwait – Rs 88,327 (4 hours and 55 minutes)
Kochi – Colombo – Dubai – Kuwait - Rs 25,864 (24 hours and 5 minutes)
