The airline acquired a stake in Sri Lankan Airways in 1998 for US$70 million but sold its share for $US53 million in 2010 after interference in the airline’s operations by a former president of Sri Lanka.
Emirates has quashed speculation that it might buy back into loss-making Sri Lankan airlines.
Earlier this week Sri Lanka’s state finance minister Eran Wickramaratne said informal talks had taken place with several airlines, including Emirates.
“Emirates confirms it has no plans to acquire a stake in any airline and airport in Sri Lanka or elsewhere,” an airline spokesperson told Arabian Business.
“Our business is focused on organic growth and has a pipeline of investments to renew and grow the fleet, expand the global network and continuous innovation of our products and services.”
The airline acquired a stake in Sri Lankan Airways in 1998 for US$70 million but sold its share for $US53 million in 2010 after interference in the airline’s operations by a former president of Sri Lanka.