Mihin Lanka will operate the service three times a week from Colombo to Netaji Subhas Chandra International Airport, Kolkata in India, commencing today.

The direct air link is expected to cut down the travel time to the Sri Lankan capital from the Indian city by three hours, according to the President, Indian Association of Tour Operators (IATO) Subhash Goyal.

"This will not only save time for passengers, but will be very economical as well. We are focused on providing customers with world-class travel facility at an affordable price," Goyal told PTI.

For a trip from Kolkata to Colombo and back, Mihin Lanka is charging Rs 15,500 as against Rs 26,000-27,000 offered by other operators, whose flights, however, operate via New Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai or Bengaluru, Goyal said.

Mihin Lanka is likely to use Airbus-319, A-320 or A-321 aircraft on the Kolkata-Colombo sector, he said. "There are many people from this part of the country who visit Colombo for business purpose. So, we are aiming at tapping those passengers," Goyal said.

He hoped that the direct service would boost tourism in Bengal as well as Sri Lanka. In fact, the first two flights from the city are fully booked, he said. Mihin Lanka is planning to join hands with local tour operators to tap the local market. "We are planning some special travel packages during Durga Puja and Diwali with attractive discounts on hotel rooms and sightseeing," Goyal said.