COLOMBO : SriLankan Airlines, the national carrier of Sri Lanka managed to weather through the economic and Covid turbulences during a crucial period in the annals of the country.
SriLankan celebrates 43 years of service to the aviation industry
The airline has been the ultimate gateway between Sri Lanka and the world. With a current all-Airbus fleet of 24 aircraft, SriLankan has been connecting Sri Lankans to 119 cities in 60 countries across continents through direct and codeshare operations.
Moreover, SriLankan Airlines is the only airline to operate direct flights between Colombo and several global power cities including London; Paris; Frankfurt; Melbourne; Sydney; and Tokyo, enabling socio-economic ties with these markets.
SriLankan has also played a central role in introducing Sri Lanka and the country’s spectacular heritage to discerning international travellers. SriLankan has for nearly half a century helped bridge distances; position Sri Lanka as one of the most desired holiday destinations; and link millions of passengers to Colombo, Southern India and the Maldives with expedient connections. Over 95 per cent of passengers transiting via Bandaranaike International Airport are carried by SriLankan Airlines and SriLankan remains the most frequently booked airline to travel to Sri Lanka.
Between 1979 and now, SriLankan has served over 89 million passenger journeys for both local and foreign passengers – a number that is equal to the population of Sri Lanka, four times over. The airline is, unquestionably, a key foreign currency earner for Sri Lanka as over 85 percent of its revenue is earned in foreign currency from international markets.
Reflecting on the significance of the airline to the country, Ashok Pathirage, Chairman of SriLankan Airlines stated, “For the past four decades, we have been flag bearers of the nation through thick and thin. SriLankan Airlines has not only prevailed through each challenging chapter that the country has had to navigate through, but endeavored to help the country back on its feet.
The resilience of our legacy is really the resilience of our people, and I would like to thank every employee of SriLankan Airlines for their show of dedication and commitment that has seen us through difficult times.”
Rizmi Reyal, Chairman of Traveller Global, a leading travel agent in Sri Lanka while wishing the national carrier on its 43rd anniversary has also extended its great appreciation to the chairman, board of directors, board of management and the staff of the airline for their utmost commitment and devotion for taking the country’s national flag to new heights, during the financial and fuel crises in the country.
“ We take this opportunity to thank SriLankan airlines for extending their support and cooperation for the growth and development of the traveller global for more than three decades,” Reyal noted
“ We would not have accomplished many awards and goals that we have achieved over the years if not for the guidance and leadership of the competent team at the airlines,” he concluded
