SriLankan Airlines receives first of six new A330-300 on order

Posted by Unknown on Friday, October 31, 2014 | 0 comments | Leave a comment...

SriLankan Airlines, the national carrier of Sri Lanka, has taken delivery of its first A330-300 becoming a new operator for the type. The wide-body aircraft arrived at Colombo International Airport, having flown from Toulouse, France, and joins the airlines’ existing fleet of A320, A321, A330-200 and A340-300 aircraft. SriLankan will take delivery of a further five A330-300s.
“We have a reputation as a global leader in service, comfort, safety, reliability and punctuality; all of which are qualities reflected in selecting the A330,” said Kapila Chandrasena, CEO of SriLankan Airlines. “The addition of the A330-300 to our family will enable us to drive our offering to new heights.”
SriLankan Airlines and Airbus embarked upon a long-term, strategic partnership in 1993 when the airline began operating the A320 and A340. It has since grown to be an all Airbus operator, and is now an award winning carrier, expanding and diversifying its wide range of products and services to drive the country’s ongoing boom in tourism and economic development.
"Combining the highest levels of reliability, superior economics and great passenger appeal, the A330-300 will fit seamlessly into the SriLankan Airlines’ fleet,” said John Leahy, Airbus Chief Operating Officer Customers. “We are very proud of our two decades of partnership with SriLankan Airlines and that they have built their success on our aircraft.”
The A330 Family, which spans 200 to 440 seats, and includes Freighter, VIP, and Military Transport/Tanker variants, has now attracted more than 1,300 orders. Over 1,100 aircraft are flying with more than 100 operators worldwide. The A330 is one of the world’s most efficient aircraft with best in class operating economics. With numerous on-going product enhancements entering service in the coming years, such as the more capable 242 tonne take-off-weight variant (available for both the A330-200 and the A330-300), the A330 for regional and domestic routes and the A330neo, the A330 Family remains the most cost-efficient and capable widebody aircraft, averaging operational reliability above 99 percent. The A330 belongs to the successful Airbus Widebody aircraft Family, which comprises the A330, A350 XWB and A380, and uniquely spans the 250 to over 500 seats segment.

British Airways cease Flight operations to Colombo

Posted by Unknown on Wednesday, September 24, 2014 | 0 comments | Leave a comment...

British Airways today announced that it will cease its operations onwards to Colombo from March 28 next year.

Services to Male will re-commence for winter 2015, but British Airways will cease to operate flights onwards to Colombo.

With SriLankan Airlines recently joining oneworld, customers in Sri Lanka will still be able to enjoy the benefits of British Airways’ extensive network of flights to Europe and North America, connecting on from the direct SriLankan Airlines flight to London Heathrow.

Christopher Fordyce, Regional Commercial Manager, British Airways, South Asia, said, “The decision to suspend flights between Colombo and London has been a difficult one to make. We constantly assess all our global routes and take appropriate steps, as needed. The Colombo route is not making a profitable contribution to our business and we are unable to sustain it.

“British Airways will continue flying between London Gatwick and Male, however, the service will be operational only during the winter schedule to cater to the high leisure travel demand.”

British Airways is in the process of contacting all affected customers, who will be offered a full refund. The premium airline is also in the process of seeking out solutions to assist as many customers as possible in making alternative arrangements. Customers who have booked through travel agents may contact their agents directly.

British Airways would like to apologise to the customers affected by these changes and would like to thank the airport authorities, local government, tourist organisations and people of Sri Lanka for their support.

SriLankan Cargo moving towards the future with the adoption of e-air waybill system

Posted by Unknown on Saturday, September 13, 2014 | 0 comments | Leave a comment...


Ushering a new era in Sri Lanka's airfreight industry, the national carrier's cargo arm, SriLankan Cargo signed e-AWB (air waybills) agreements with four of its top customers, September 10.
At a time when the industry is increasingly adopting sustainable and cost-effective practices to enhance operational efficiency, International Air Transport Association (IATA) views this as the first step towards a paper-free air cargo, involving fewer stakeholders.
The air waybill is the most important transportation document in the cargo operations, which contains the details of the shipper, consignee, airport of origin/destination, number of pieces, weight and the nature of goods.
Currently, the cargo industry relies heavily on paper documentation, which results in increasing freight costs and lengthening processing and transportation time. A freight shipment requires over 30 different paper documents and the paper air way-billing system requires that each shipment carries one such document whereas under the E-AWB system, an electronic contract between SriLankan Cargo and the freight forwarding customer replaces paper documentation.
The new system allows the airlines and freight forwarders to sign a single standard agreement once with IATA to enter into e-AWB agreements with all parties, without having to sign numerous bilateral agreements.
Initiated by the IATA, as a progressive solution, E-AWB avoids repeating data keying and reduces cargo delays due to missing or illegible paper AWBs. It also allows one to detect errors prior to the submission of physical freight, access Real Time AWB information and track status of the shipments.

Absence of paper usage eliminates the cost of purchasing and printing of paper, space for storage and archiving and noticeably reduces the waiting time for processing papers. In terms of data safety, E-AWB has been proven the more reliable option as the automated system facilitates error detection and cuts down the risk of losing documents.

SriLankan Airlines office in Tiruchi attacked

Posted by Unknown on Saturday, August 2, 2014 | 0 comments | Leave a comment...

SriLankan Airlines office in Tiruchi attacked
Indian police arrested two persons who stoned the SriLankan Airlines booking office in Tiruchi on Saturday evening.

P. Udayakumar, 35, district coordinator of the Makkal Janayaga Kudiarasu Katchi, and V. Sathiakumaran, 28, district organiser of the Tamil Nadu Maanavar Koottamaippu, entered the office posing as customers. All of a sudden, they threw stones on the glass panes and raised slogans against the Sri Lankan government for an article critical of Chief Minister Jayalalithaa posted on the Sri Lankan Defence Ministry’s website.

Police personnel, who were posted in the area in view of the agitation by the Periyar Dravidar Kazhagam, nabbed them. Both were remanded in custody.

Earlier in the day, nine volunteers of the Periyar Dravidar Kazhagam staged a black flag demonstration in front the office. They were taken into custody and released in the evening.

Suicide attempt

A 52-year-old woman functionary of the AIADMK, attempted suicide in Salem on Saturday by consuming sleeping pills, allegedly upset at the article.

Vijayalakshmi, ward 16 deputy secretary of the party’s women’s wing, was found unconscious at her residence at Peramanur.

Her relatives admitted her to the Government Mohan Kumaramangalam Medical College Hospital. Doctors said she was out of danger.

A note recovered from her room said she was upset at the article that tarnished the Chief Minister’s image. – The Hindu

Bevy of Chinese beauties to arrive in Sri Lanka

Posted by Unknown on Wednesday, July 23, 2014 | 0 comments | Leave a comment...

Preparations have been made to bring 23 contestants who have qualified for the final round of the Chinese Universal Beauty Queen Contest to Sri Lanka as a strategy to attract more Chinese tourists to the island.
It was revealed during a media conference in Colombo that these 23 Chinese Beauty Queens would tour Sri Lanka from 25 August to 01 September.
This tour is an official part of this contest and following the regional selections the final pageant of the Chinese Universal Beauty Queen Contest would be held on a grand scale in Shanghai on 13 September.
The intention is to attract more Chinese tourists towards Sri Lanka since this tour of these beauty contestants gains much prominence among the Chinese media.
While around 55,000 tourists have arrived in Sri Lanka last year, this number increasing by about 90 percent as compared to 2013 is a very significant feature.
Bringing the Chinese beauty contestants to Sri Lanka has been organized and hosted by the Cinnamon Grand Hotels and resorts while their flight is being sponsored by SriLankan Airlines.
The organizers say that since Emmy winner Chinese-American television presenter Yue-Sai Kan is vastly popular in China this would be an additional advantage to make Sri Lanka popular among Chinese tourists.
This Chinese beauty pageant is being organized as a production of Yue-Sai Kan.
While speaking to adaderanabiz.lk on the programme to bring down the Chinese beauty contestants to Sri Lanka, Vice President of John Keells Group Ajit Gunawardena said that they would be hosted while giving prominence to Sri Lankan hospitality and that they would be taken around the best tourist attractions in Sri Lanka.
It is vital to promote Sri Lanka’s tourism potentials within the world’s largest tourism market in China, added Ajit Gunawardena.

Srilankan not using Ukrainian airspace

Posted by Unknown on Saturday, July 19, 2014 | 0 comments | Leave a comment...

SriLankan Airlines yesterday said that its flights were not using Ukrainian airspace when travelling to Europe.

In response to A question whether the airline had diverted its path following Thursday's Malaysian flight crash, a spokesman for the Srilankan said, “As a policy our flights are not operating airspaces, where there are conflicts. In this case our flights are taking different path when travelling to Europe, and we don't use the Ukrainian airspace.”

SriLankan Airlines - The National Airline of Sri Lanka

Posted by Unknown on Saturday, May 10, 2014 | 0 comments | Leave a comment...

SriLankan Airlines, the National Airline of Sri Lanka, is an award winning carrier with a firm reputation as a global leader in service, comfort, safety, reliability, and punctuality.
Launched in 1979, SriLankan is currently expanding and further diversifying its wide range of products and services in order to drive the country’s ongoing boom in tourism and economic development.
The airline’s hubs are located at Bandaranaike International Airport in Colombo and Mattala Rajapaksa International Airport, Hambantota providing convenient connections to its global route network of 79 destinations in 37 countries in Europe, the Middle East, South Asia, Southeast Asia, the Far East, North America, Australia and Africa.


Destinations (including code-shares)

EuropeLondon, Paris, Frankfurt, Dusseldorf, Rome, Milan, Brussels, Manchester, Dublin, Geneva, Munich, Athens, Lanarca, Istanbul, Zurich
Central Asia  Moscow, Kiev, Volgograd, Petersburg, Chelyabinsk, Yekaterinburg, Novosibirsk, Irkutsk
Middle EastKuwait, Dammam, Riyadh, Muscat, Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Bahrain, Doha, Jeddah, Amman, Sharjah
South AsiaKarachi, Male, Colombo, Chennai, Trichy, Trivandrum, Mumbai, New Delhi, Bangalore, Kochi, Varanasi, Bodh Gaya, Dhaka & Madurai
Southeast AsiaSingapore, Kuala Lumpur, Langkawi, Penang, Saigon, Bangkok, Jakarta
Far EastHong Kong, Beijing, Shanghai, Canton, Tokyo, Hanoi
AustraliaSydney, Melbourne, Perth, Adelaide, Brisbane
North AmericaNew York, Chicago, Washington 
CanadaEdmonton, Calgary, Vancouver, Toronto, Ottawa, Montreal, Halifax and St Johns
AfricaJohannesburg, Seychelles, Nairobi

Code shares: Partners

SriLankan has mutual code-share services with Etihad Airways, Malaysia Airlines, Air Canada, Royal Jordanian, Alitalia and Mihin Lanka. Air India and Saudi Arabian Airlines, also code-share on some of SriLankan’s routes.

Board of Directors

Mr. Nishantha Wickremasinghe- Chairman
Mr. Kapila Chandrasena- Director
Mr. Nihal Jayamanne, PC- Director
Mr. Shameendra Rajapaksa- Director
Mr. Manilal Fernando- Director
Ms. Lakshmi Kumari Sangakkara- Director
Mr. Sanath Ukwatte- Director
Mr. Susantha Ratnayake- Director

Aircraft Fleet

SriLankan operates a fleet of 21 aircraft – including wide-bodied A340 and A330 aircraft, and mid-range A320s.
- Airbus A340–3006 aircraft
- Airbus A330-2007 aircraft
- Airbus A320-2008 aircraft

Workforce

SriLankan has a global team of approximately 5,900 employees in Sri Lanka and overseas. The airline has strong training programmes in all aviation related fields, in order to cater to its own expansion and the constant need to replace its staff, in high demand by other airlines.

In-flight Comfort

The SriLankan fleet contains luxurious seats that have ample pitch and width (needs to be reworded). Seating is in a two-class system of Business and Economy. Business classes on long haul aircraft are equipped with flat-bed seats. The AVOD in-flight entertainment system has the latest Audio / Video On Demand function with games etc. Complementing this facility are the wide screens with superior high resolution picture quality for infinite viewing pleasure. Also available is the air-show with forward and downward cameras; and video games in most seats.

Awards

SriLankan has consistently achieved very high marks for excellence, especially in polls of global travellers. The awards include:
  • World’s Friendliest Cabin Staff - Skytrax
  • First Runner-up for World’s Best Cabin Staff – Skytrax
  • Best Airline in Central Asia (4 consecutive times) - Skytrax
  • Best Airline in South Asia (3 consecutive times) from Travel Trade Gazette
  • World’s Most Reliable Operator of Airbus A330’s (small fleet) by Airbus Industrie
  • World’s Most Reliable Operator of Airbus A340’s (small fleet) by Airbus Industrie
  • Best Overall In-flight Entertainment (for a fleet size of 20 or less), twice – World Airline Entertainment Association
  • Best Airline Turnaround of the Year 2004 – Centre for Asia Pacific Aviation
  • Galileo Indian Express Award for Best Eastbound International Airline
  • Foreign Carrier of the Year (South Asia sector) – Kuala Lumpur International Airport Awards
  • Runner-up for Best Asian Airline in survey by UK’s Daily Telegraph
  • Imperial Mark in recognition of exceptional levels of service, luxury and quality
  • PATA Gold Award 2007 for Best Airline Marketing Campaign
  • Airline of the Year 2008, 2009, 2010 and 2011 - Sri Lanka Presidential Travel & Tourism Awards
  • Merit Award at the National Best Quality Software Awards 2010 (NBQSA),
  • Second place ‘Unlocking Business Intelligence’ category. CIMA Global Awards 2010
  • Hall of Fame – Airline of the Year for three consecutive years - Sri Lanka Travel & Tourism – 2010
  • Best Print Media Presentation on Travel and Tourism in 2010 and 2011 at the Sri Lanka Presidential Travel & Tourism Awards
  • Etihad Global Excellence Award 2011 for Best Regional Caterer.
  • National Energy Efficiency Gold Award in the large scale state sector at the National Green Awards 2011.
  • Green Jobs Award 2011 towards environmental conservation.
  • SriLankan IAA among IATA’s Top Ten best Authorized Training Centers (ATCs) in S. Asia.
  • Best Airline Operator from South Asia award at the KLIA Awards (in 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009 and 2011)
  • Silver Award in the ‘State Sector Buildings – Large Scale’ category at the Vidulka National Energy Efficiency Awards 2012
  • Bronze Award for SriLankan Catering Ltd. in the ‘State Sector Buildings – Large Scale’ category at the Vidulka National Energy Efficiency Awards 2012
  • ‘Best in Region: Asia & Australasia’ award at the Airline Passenger Experience Association (APEX) 2012 Passenger Choice Awards in USA

Online Facilities

Through its website www.srilankan.com the airline provides Online Booking, Ticketing and Check-in facilities that give passengers the convenience of planning their travel experience through any PC or laptop.

SriLankan Cargo

SriLankan Cargo has been expanding its services rapidly, using Colombo as a “Hub in the Ocean” to link the fast-growing economies of the South Asia with Europe, the Middle, Southeast Asia and the Far East. For information visitwww.srilankancargo.com

Ground Services

SriLankan Airlines provides ground services for all airlines that operate through Colombo’s Bandaranaike International Airport, and has gained a reputation with customer airlines for excellence in friendly and efficient service. For information visit http://www.srilankan.com/ground-handling/corporate/corporate-profile.htm

SriLankan Catering (Pvt) Ltd

A fully owned subsidiary of SriLankan Airlines, SriLankan Catering (SLC) provides on-board catering services for airlines that operate through Colombo. Its state of the art flight kitchen has a production capacity of over 25,000 meals per day, in a 24-hour operation, 365 days a year. SLC has a workforce of approximately 800 employees.
Located in the historic Dutch Complex, SLC opened its fine-dining restaurant, Semondu, offering its signature fusion cuisine, to the public in the heart of the city of Colombo. The Airport Restaurant and the Business Class transit lounge, Palm Strip, at the Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) are also owned by SLC.
SLC manages the 24-roomed, Serenediva Transit Hotel situated in the departure area, offering four room-types, equipped with essential amenities for transit passengers, and the newly opened Emirates Lounge, inside BIA.
Additionally, SLC provides catering services to SriLankan Airlines’ Business Class lounge - Serendib, and lounges owned by the Airport and Aviation Services (Sri Lanka) Limited in BIA.
SLC runs a state-of-the-art, mass-scale laundry facility situated in the SLC Complex in the airport, capable of laundering up to 15,000 pieces per day.
SLC is certified to the following standards: ISO 9001:2008 (Quality Management Systems); ISO 22000:2005 (Food Safety Management Systems); HACCP (Food Safety Assurance); ISO 14001: 2004 (Environmental Management System). For information visit www.srilankancatering.com

SriLankan Engineering

SriLankan Engineering is a provider of choice in Maintenance-Repair-Overhaul (MRO) activities in the region, with its strong expertise in Airbus aircraft, excellent facilities, and experienced engineering personnel.
SriLankan Engineering possesses the prestigious EASA 145 certification for aircraft maintenance and its training facility has the EASA 147 certification from the European Aviation Safety Agency. For information visit www.srilankan.com/mro

SriLankan Holidays

SriLankan Holidays is the leisure arm of the airline, which promotes travel to and from Sri Lanka, and also within all points throughout the airline’s network. SriLankan Holidays partners many leading hotels, tour operators and other tourism related organisations to give travellers a wide selection of holiday opportunities with an all-inclusive concept, which includes customized packages. SriLankan Holidays won the prestigious title of Best Outbound Tour Operator at the Presidential Awards for Travel and Tourism in 2008 and in 2009. For information visit www.srilankan-holidays.com

SriLankan Air Taxi

SriLankan Air Taxi entered into a codeshare agreement with  Cinnamon Air to provide easy access to many picturesque locations across the country.  With the new code share agreement, all Cinnamon Air scheduled flights will operate with SriLankan Airlines’ (UL) designated flight numbers as well of those of Cinnamon Air (C7).

‘FlySmiLes’ Frequent Flyer Programme

SriLankan Airlines’ frequent flyer programme, ‘FlySmiLes’ promises a wide range of exciting rewards for passengers with a global network of local and international partners which include:
  • Airlines – Malaysia Airlines, Etihad Airways
  • Telecommunications – Travelling Connect, Dialog Telekom
  • Banks/Credit cards – American Express, Standard Chartered Bank, Commercial Bank of Qatar, Hatton National Bank
  • Vehicle rentals – Hertz
  • Lifestyle partners – Taj Hotels Resorts and Palaces, Siddhalepa Ayurveda Resort ,SPA Ceylon, Buddhi Batiks, Excel World, Speedrome, Excel World
FlySmiLes has three tiers of membership – Gold, Silver, and Blue. All members can redeem their miles for rewards such as free air tickets and upgrades on the airline’s own and partner airline flights. Miles can also be earned for spend with all partners. They also have a wide range of other benefits such as pre-assigned seating, priority confirmation, etc. For more information visit www.flysmiles.com

MICE Tourism

Sri Lanka is a popular destination for business events in the South Asian region. The airline has a separate department for MICE Tourism (Meetings, Incentives, Conventions, and Exhibitions) that works with local partners to arrange many types of events.

Sponsorships

SriLankan has a special focus on sports tourism and supports all major sporting events in Sri Lanka. The airline also sponsors Surfing classics in Sri Lanka and the Maldives; the International Rugby Sevens; the SriLankan Golf Classic in Sri Lanka; and co-sponsors several events that focus arts and culture.

Airline Training

SriLankan’s International Aviation Academy (IAA), caters to manpower requirements of airlines, airports, travel agents, and other aviation industry organizations. It is accredited with the International Airline Training Association (IATA), Director General Civil Aviation (DGCA), Sri Lankan Institute of Marketing (SLIM), University of Moratuwa and the Travel Agents’ Association of Sri Lanka (TAASL).
IAA, has been recognized by IATA as one of its‘Top Ten’ Authorized Training Centres in South Asia. In August 2012, IAA opened its first overseas branch in Maldives. IATA courses offered by IAA:
  • IATA/ UFTAA Foundation Diploma in Travel and Tourism
  • IATA/ UFTAA Consultants Diploma in Travel and Tourism
  • IATA/FIATA Cargo Introductory Course
  • IATA Airline Cabin Crew Training
SriLankan Airlines’ courses offered by IAA:
  • Flight Operations Officer Dispatcher Programme
  • Airport Passenger Handling Foundation Course
  • International Airline Cabin Crew Certificate Programme
  • Self Enhancement for Future Professionals
For information visit www.srilankan.com/iaa

Technical Training

The SriLankan Technical Training School, which is certified to the EASA 147 standard by the European aviation body, provides comprehensive basic and aircraft type training for both internal engineers as well as external individuals. It is also accredited by the aviation authorities of Pakistan and the Maldives.

SriLankan Cares

The community development arm of the airline, SriLankan Cares actively participates in fundraising and charity activities, with its main focus being the Empowerment of Children. SriLankan Cares has carried out major development projects in three rural schools in the country, providing buildings and infrastructure such as classrooms, libraries, and computer labs.

Corporate Communications
SriLankan Airlines Ltd.
21-22 Level, World Trade Centre, Echelon Square, Colombo 1, Sri Lanka
Tel: 0094 019733 1979 (24-hour Call Centre)
Corporate Communications 
March 2013

Sampath Bank Easy Payment Plan (SEPP) with SriLankan Airlines

Posted by Unknown on Friday, March 7, 2014 | 0 comments | Leave a comment...


Sampath Bank Easy Payment Plan (SEPP) with SriLankan Air Lines
 
We are happy to announce that all Sampath Credit Cardholders can now purchase tickets
on-line for SriLankan Airlines and pay for their tickets in installments over 3,6,12,24 or 36 months.
 
Please register with Sampath Bank no sooner you make the air ticket purchase online. All what you have to do is simply log on to www.srilankan.com & select Sampath Bank under “SriLankan Easy Payment Plan” in order to enter the scheme. To enroll please download the application form and post it to us after filling it.
 
 
Terms & Conditions for Sampath Easy payment Plan (SEPP)
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1.
This offer will be valid for all Sampath Credit Cardholders for transactions effected under 3,6,12,24 & 36 months installment payment plans.
 
2.
The existing transactions could be converted to SEPP only within 30 days from the transaction date upon the receipt of the original copy of the relevant SEPP application form to Manager – Card Centre, Sampath Bank PLC, # 110, Sir James Peiris Mawatha, Colombo 02.
 
3.
The respective card will be blocked for the total transaction value with the bank's handling fees.
 
4.
Sufficient funds needs to be made available on the card at the time of processing the SEPP for the transaction value along with the applicable handling fees.
 
5.
Bank SEPP handling fees.(The bank's handling fee will be calculated for the total transaction value)
3 months
6 months
12 months
24 months
36 months
SEPP handling fees
Free of Charge
3.25%
6.75%
11.30%
14.25%
 
 
6.
The minimum transaction value should be Rs. 15,000/- & the maximum value should not exceed Rs. 250,000/-.
 
7.
Stamp duty/ other applicable bank fees will be charged for the installment transaction.
 
8.
This offer cannot be used in conjunction with other promotional offers.
 
9.
Sampath Bank PLC shall not be held liable to the cardholder for any claims, losses, damages or quality of goods & services that may cause by the partnering company.
 
10.
The general Terms & Conditions for credit card transactions will be applicable.
  
11.
In the event of any dispute, the decision of the bank shall be final.
  
12.
The bank reserves the right to modify or change the terms & regulations applicable for the offer.



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