Oct 11, Colombo: Sri Lanka's state-owned budget carrier Mihin Lanka has signed a distribution deal with Sabre Travel Network which connects travel agencies globally.

The agreement with Sabre Travel Network gives Mihin Lanka a global reach while the Travel Network's low-cost carrier portfolio continues to expand with the addition of Sri Lanka's budget airline.

The airline has signed up for Sabre's Standard Connect with e-ticketing capabilities.

"In the sphere of budget travel and in an era where competition is rife, Mihin Lanka has made an impressionable impact in the travel market not only in Sri Lanka but in the immediate region as well. I'm sure this strategic tie-up for distribution with Sabre Travel Network will enable Mihin Lanka to further extend its reach globally. I wish this alliance, which will benefit both parties immensely, much success for the future," CEO of Mihin Lanka, Kapila Chandrasena has said.

"We are confident that Mihin Lanka will also expand quickly, and Sabre's technology will be on hand to support that growth," Vice President and General Manager APAC for Sabre Hans Belle has said.

Mihin Lanka operates to eight destinations in the Middle East, Indian sub-continent and Southeast Asia and code shares with the national carrier SriLankan Airlines to provide connections to over 50 destinations.

The airline launched services to its newest destination, Bahrain, in early September. It expects to further expand its services to over 10 destinations within the next six months, adding new services to Madurai, New Delhi and Kathmandu.