SriLankan Airlines
SriLankan Airlines | ||
---|---|---|
IATA UL |
ICAO ALK |
Callsign SRI LANKAN |
Founded | July 1979 | |
Hubs | Bandaranaike International Airport | |
Focus cities | Suvarnabhumi Airport | |
Frequent flyer program | Skywards | |
Member lounge | Colombo | |
Fleet size | 14 | |
Destinations | 51 | |
Company slogan | You're Our World | |
Headquarters | Level 22, East Tower, World Trade Centre, Echelon Square, Colombo 1, Sri Lanka |
|
Key people | Peter Hill (CEO) | |
Website: http://www.srilankan.aero |
SriLankan Airlines Limited (previously known as Air Lanka) is the national airline of Sri Lanka. It operates an Airbus fleet of 14 aircraft, to destinations in Asia, Europe and the Middle East. SriLankan's hub is located at the Bandaranaike International Airport (CMB) in Colombo. The airlines trademark phrase is 'You're Our World', and the company's logo features a stylized peacock.
SriLankan is not part of an airline alliance. It has a partnership with Emirates (which has a stake of 43.6% in SriLankan), an extensive codeshare service with other airlines and is part of the Skywards frequent flyer program.
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History
Air Lanka was set up by the Sri Lankan Government in July 1979 following the collapse of Air Ceylon in 1978. It initially operated two Boeing 707s which were leased from Singapore Airlines. During the 1980s, the airline increased the number of destinations it serviced and made additions to its fleet. In 1990 Air Lanka served 26 destinations. In December 1992 the airline purchased its first Airbus A320.
Air Lanka, which was state owned, was part-privatized to the Dubai based in 1998 when Emirates and the Sri Lankan Government signed an agreement for a ten year strategic partnership. This agreement would include exclusive rights for all ground handling and airline catering at Bandaranaike International Airport for a ten year period. Emirates bought a 40% stake worth US$70 million (which it later increased to 43.6%) in Air Lanka, and sought to refurbish the airline's image and fleet. The Government retained the majority of the stake in the airline but gave full control to Emirates for investments and management decisions which saw the introduction of Peter Hill as its Chief Executive Officer (CEO). In 1998, the Air Lanka brand was retired and SriLankan airlines was born.
SriLankan acquired six Airbus A330-200s to complement its fleet of A340-300 and A320-200 aircraft. The A330-200s joined the airline between October 1999 and July 2000. The company’s fourth A340-300 arrived at Colombo painted in the airline’s new corporate livery. SriLankan also upgraded its existing A340 fleet into a two-class configuration (business and economy) whilst overhauling the interior to reflect the new corporate image.
SriLankan has suffered from environmental problems and acts of terrorism. These have included the SARS outbreak, the 2004 Asian Tsunami, a civil war within Sri Lanka and a terrorist attack which destroyed four aircraft and damaged two, writing off half of its fleet. SriLankan then took the decision to recreate Colombo as a new hub for flights to Asia. An example of this is the expansion into regional markets such as India. It is now the largest foreign carrier into India with 90 flights a week to 10 destinations.
Whilst continuing expansion in the region, SriLankan also conducts flights to Jeddah, its third destination in Saudi Arabia after Riyadh and Dammam. Jeddah was the airline's 51st destination in 28 countries and increased to nine the number of destinations in the Middle East.
As part of its strategy it has also developed nonstop flights from Male (the Maldives) to London, Paris and Tokyo.
The cabin crew's uniform has remained unchanged since its inauguration with Air Lanka. The stewardesses' uniform is a Kandyan-style saree in green with a peacock feather print. The stewards' uniform is a red/maroon jacket, white shirt and black trousers.
Sri Lankan 'Monara'
SriLankan Airlines corporate logo features the peacock bird ('Monara' in Sinhala) and is considered a good Feng Shui motif and signifies growth, fame and abundance. The colors Green, Red and Orange adapted in the logo are in accordance with Feng Shui elemental analysis symbolizing wood and fire.
There was much animosity to the name change and new logo, in Sri Lanka and from Sri Lankan expatriates. 'Air Lanka' had proved to be a loved name amongst a large community who did not want it to change. Due to traditional folk lore and superstition, some Sri Lankan's believe that the new Sri Lankan logo, which shows the peacock flying away from the aircraft, would bring untold misfortune to the airline, as opposed to the old logo, which showed the peacock facing the direction of the aircraft in flight.
SriLankan's CEO, Peter Hill, talked about the new logo in an interview with Travel Weekly¹:
"In order to change the image, it was felt the airline needed a new name that truly reflected the country. So SriLankan Airlines comes with a modern fleet, a new look and an updated Monara (peacock) on the tails of the aircraft. The new logo reflects more graceful and flowing images of today as opposed to the rather angular and square designs of the 70s."
Destinations
See full article: SriLankan Airlines Destinations
Fleet
Passenger
As of June 2007 SriLankan Airlines has an all Airbus fleet. Emirates Airline has stated that it plans to double SriLankan's fleet in the next five years if the government contract is extended.:[1]
SriLankan Airlines Fleet | ||||
Aircraft | Total | Passengers (Business/Economy) |
Routes | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|
Airbus A320-200 | 5 | 144 (12/132) | India and Pakistan, routes | Short haul routes |
Airbus A330-200 | 4 | 287 (12/275) | South Asia, Mid-East, and Europe; India routes Chennai, Bangalore, and Calicut only | Medium-long haul routes |
Airbus A340-300 | 2 | 313 (18/295) | South Asia, Mid-East, and Europe; India routes, Chennai, Bangalore, and Trivundrum only. | Ultra long haul routes and medium haul routes, and a few short haul routes. |
Airbus A340-300 | 3 | 314 (18/296) | South Asia, Mid-East and Europe; and a few Indian routes | Ultra long haul routes and medium haul routes. |
Cargo
The SriLankan Cargo Fleet consists of the following aircraft as of November 2006:[2]
The SriLankan cargo fleet consists of two all cargo Antonov An-12s. In addition SriLankan carries cargo in the belly hold of its passenger fleet.
SriLankan's average fleet age is 7 years as of November 2006.[citation needed]
Cabin
On board, SriLankan provides an individual video player that includes 18 movies and 22 radio channels (economy class) and over 30 different movie titles in different languages (business class). Both classes are given the option of a "Satcom" satellite phone. Satcom also gives the option of calling anyone in another seat free of charge. SriLankan also gives their passengers the opportunity to reserve their meals for travelers who have particular dietary requirements due to medical or religious reasons. Business Class passengers have the option of pre-ordering any of the special meals available.
Catering
SriLankan Catering, although a 100% owned subsidiary of SriLankan Airlines, is a standalone operation responsible for its own economic infrastructure, management and profitability. Under the guidance of its chief executive officer, the company’s prime responsibility is the preparation of in-flight meals for SriLankan Airlines. It also caters for a number of foreign airlines, among which are Gulf Air, Cathay Pacific Airways, Singapore Airlines and Emirates. SriLankan Catering can produce 15,000 meals each day.
Entertainment
New movies from Hollywood, old classics and some films from India are available on SriLankan Airlines. There are also comedies, dramas, arts, sports and children's TV. The drama and arts section contain stories of current interest, including features on celebrities. There are channels for sport that include highlights of tournaments and that discuss sporting moments. The "Quest" channel provides exploration of the world and documentaries about space and the sea.
CTV is SriLankan's channel for children. It contains programmes such as comedies and cartoons. SriLankan also has 22 radio channels to provide music from around the world. SriLankan's radio channels cover the Euro charts, Golden Era, Classical and Jazz and popular music selections from Sri Lanka, Arabia, India and Japan. 16 new games have been added, including puzzles, playing cards and classic board games.
Skywards
Skywards is the frequent flyer programme of Emirates, SriLankan Airlines, and other Emirates travel partners. Earning opportunities through flights occur when members fly with Emirates and SriLankan, or with partner airlines which include Continental Airlines, Delta Air Lines, Japan Airlines, Korean Air, South African Airways, and United Airlines. Once members earn enough miles or segments, they qualify for membership elite status: Skywards Silver and Skywards Gold. These membership tiers offer premium services not offered to general members.
Incidents & Accidents
03 May 1986
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- Location: Colombo Bandaranaike International Airport, Sri Lanka
- Flight #: UL512
- Route: London Gatwick - Zurich - Dubai - Colombo - Maldives
- Aircraft Type: Lockheed L-1011 Tristar
- Registration: 4R-ULD
- Aircraft Name: City of Colombo
- Aboard: 128 (passengers:Unknown crew:Unknown)
- Fatalities: 14 (passengers:14 crew:0)
- Summary: 14 passengers were killed when a bomb planted by the terrorist organisation LTTE, exploded while the aircraft was on the tarmac. The device had been timed to explode inflight, however, the aircraft had been delayed in boarding and therefore exploded on the ground. Officials believe the bomb may have been concealed in crates of meat and vegetables being freighted to the Republic of Maldives. Other reports believe that the bomb was hidden in the aircraft's 'Fly Away Kit'.
24 July 2001
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- Location: Colombo Bandaranaike International Airport, Sri Lanka
- Aircraft Type: Airbus A340-300/A330-200/A320-200
- Registration:
- Destroyed Planes - A320: 4R-ABA, Airbus A330: 4R-ALE and 4R-ALF, A340: 4R-ADD
- Damaged Planes - A340: 4R-ADC, A320: 4R-ABB
- Aboard: 0 (passengers:0 crew:0)
- Fatalities: 21 (passengers:0 crew:0)
- Summary: LTTE launched a suicide attack at the Bandaranaike International Airport killing a total of 21 soldiers on the ground. Four aircraft were written off which included one Airbus A340-300 which was destroyed by an explosive charge and one Airbus A330-200 which was destroyed by a rocket fired from the control tower. In addition, one A320-200 and one A340-300 was damaged in the assault. No passengers/civilians were killed.
Awards
In March 2003 the Skytrax Research Agency’s worldwide passenger survey voted SriLankan, for the third consecutive year, Best Airline of the Year for Central Asia. In that same year TTG(Asia) voted SriLankan Best Airline in South Asia. In 2001 the UK’s Wanderlust magazine placed SriLankan eighth in its Top Major Airlines travel award category.
Subsidiaries
- Sri Lankan Cargo
- Sri Lankan Catering
- Sri Lankan Engineering
- Sri Lankan Holidays
- Sri Lankan Ground Handling
References
External links
- Official website
- SriLankan Cargo
- SriLankan Holidays
- Fleet
- Skywards Frequent Flyer Programme
- SriLankan Ground Handling
- SriLankan Food and Beverage
- SriLankan Entertainment