Blue Dart, SriLankan Airlines ink Interline Agreement

Mumbai : December 22, 2003:

Blue Dart Express Limited, South Asia's largest integrated air express, courier and logistics company, and Sri Lanka's national carrier, SriLankan Airlines, today inked an Interline Agreement that provides both partners the benefits of increased trade between India and Sri Lanka.

The Interline Agreement will allow Indian businesses to send shipments to Sri Lanka and tranship the Sri Lankan hub to Europe and Asian destinations conveniently, from any of the five major metros through which Blue Dart currently operates. Similarly, Sri Lankan shipments can be conveniently delivered to any part of India through Blue Dart's national service infrastructure. This is Blue Dart's 21st international Interline Agreement.

Nalin Rodrigo, Head of Cargo at SriLankan Airlines, commented, "The recent modifications in the Indo-Sri Lanka FTA will provide further impetus to trade between the two countries. We currently operate 53 weekly flights into India, including an AN12 freighter service to Bangalore and Chennai Our agreement with Blue Dart will increase our distribution capability to and from India."

Tulsi Nowlakha Mirchandaney, Senior Vice President - Marketing & Projects added, "Our agreement will further leverage our strong and unique domestic air infrastructure to provide SriLankan Airlines customers in India and overseas quality services to and from the five major metros in India".

SRILANKAN AIRLINES :
SriLankan Airlines, the flag carrier of Sri Lanka, is one of Asia's leading airlines. The airline has a route network of 32 destinations in 21 countries across Europe, the Middle East and Asia. SriLankan has been awarded Best Airline in Central Asia for the last three years, by Skytrax of UK, the largest aviation research agency in the world. SriLankan's fleet comprises five Airbus A340s, four A330s, three A320s (two more to be added very soon) and two AN12 freighters. The AN12s operate a regional freighter service to several points in India, the Maldives, Thailand and Pakistan. The Colombo hub also known as the ' Hub in the Ocean' is currently on an expansion programme. The brand new addition which will double it s handling capacity will be available by late 2004.

BLUE DART :
Blue Dart, South Asia's leading courier and integrated air express package Distribution Company with dedicated aviation infrastructure, offers secure and reliable delivery of consignments to over 13,600 locations in the region. Through its sales alliance with world #1, DHL Worldwide Express, Blue Dart offers its customers the DHL advantage of global reach, unmatched cross-border specialization and greater network flexibility. Blue Dart has recently been selected a Superbrand from over 700 brands across 98 categories. The Blue Dart team drives marketplace leadership through its unique aviation system, cutting edge technology, innovation and value-added services to deliver unmatched standards of service quality to its customers.

For further information contact :
marketing@bluedart.com
Dated :December 22, 2003