By: Staff Writer
September 01, Colombo (LNW): A pioneer in the region, the airline has always remained resilient in the face of turbulence and has consistently championed true Sri Lankan hospitality globally.
“Forty-five years is a long time in any industry, but achieving this milestone in the commercial airline sector is an even greater feat. SriLankan Airlines is one of the oldest commercial airlines in this region, and we are incredibly proud of our journey over the past 45 years, despite the regular challenges we have faced.
Through it all, SriLankan has remained steadfast in its commitment to our loyal customers and in supporting Sri Lanka through every high and low,” SriLankan Airlines Chairman Ashok Pathirage reflected.
Over the years, SriLankan Airlines has proven its versatility in an ever evolving and testing environment. Today, SriLankan continues to be one of the major international airlines from South Asia, having achieved numerous milestones and accolades along the way.
“On this occasion, it is important to express our gratitude to our people. We owe our successes and resilience to every individual within the airline, both current and past, who has dedicated themselves and made sacrifices for our success.
As we celebrate our achievements, we will also focus on our vision for the future, striving to be the airline of choice for travellers seeking an authentic Sri Lankan experience, personified by the warmth and hospitality of our people,” SriLankan Airlines Chief Executive Officer Richard Nuttall added.
SriLankan Airlines provides convenient connections to a global network (including codeshare partners) of 114 destinations in 62 countries around the world.
The airline’s direct route map covers major cities across the Europe, Australia, Middle East, Indian Subcontinent, Southeast Asia and the Far East. SriLankan operates an all-Airbus fleet consisting wide-bodied A330 aircraft, A321 aircraft and mid-range A320s.
Notable achievements include the 1999 rebranding from Air Lanka to SriLankan Airlines and joining the oneworld alliance in 2014.
The airline has also been recognised with multiple awards, such as the World Travel Awards for “World’s Leading Airline to the Indian Ocean” (2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021) and APEX’s 4-star rating in the Major Airline category (2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2022, 2023).
Other accolades include the PATA Gold Award for Marketing-Carrier (2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024) and the Golden City Gate Awards for various marketing campaigns.
SriLankan Airlines has also been at the forefront of innovation, introducing South Asia’s first self-service check-in and bag drop facility in 2023.
Additionally, the airline’s commitment to sustainability was recognised with the Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Global Aviation Award for Best Aviation Sustainability Programme in 2022.
