SriLankan Airlines Turns 45 Celebrating a Journey of Milestones



1 September 2024; Colombo  SriLankan Airlines turns 45, celebrating a trailblazing journey that took off on September 1, 1979, with just two Boeing 707 aircraft. 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. 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. 

Key Milestones and Achievements

1. 1979  Launch of Air Lanka with two Boeing 707 aircraft (1st September)

2. 1979  Maiden flight to Bangkok on 1st September

3. 1979  Services are launched to Bahrain ‚Frankfurt‚ London‚Singapore‚ Kuala Lumpur‚ Dubai‚ Paris‚ Zurich‚ Madras and Male

4. 1980  Launch of Air Lanka Catering Ltd

5. 1980  First Lockheed L1011 Tristar acquired

6. 1984  Boeing 747-200 acquired

7. 1990  Air Lanka becomes a member of IATA (International Air Transport Association)

8. 1990  Three Ilyushin IL86’s leased to operate mercy flights for Sri Lankans fleeing Gulf War

9. 1991  First international airline to obtain IATA accreditation for its Centre for Training

10. 1992 Launched frequent flyer programme “The Serendib Club”

11. 1993  First Airbus A320 /200 acquired

12. 1994  First Airbus A340 acquired, becoming the first in South Asia to operate Airbus A340

13. 1998  Enters into a strategic partnership with Emirates 

14. 1999  Air Lanka rebranded as SriLankan Airlines

15. 1999  First Airbus A330/ 200 acquired

16. 2000  Phased out Lockheed Tristars for an all Airbus fleet

17. 2000  The cargo arm rebranded as ‘SriLankan Cargo’ and as a separate entity

18. 2000  SriLankan Cargo launches dedicated freighter service using Antonov AN12F aircraft

19. 2001  Launch of revamped SriLankan website

20. 2001  Skytrax Airline of the Year  Central Asia

21. 2002  Launch of leisure arm, SriLankan Holidays

22. 2002  Skytrax Airline of the Year  Central Asia

23. 2003  Skytrax names SriLankan as having “World’s Friendliest Cabin Staff”

24. 2003  Skytrax Airline of the Year  Central Asia

25. 2003  World Airline Entertainment Association (Avion awards) Best Overall Inflight Entertainment among small fleets

26. 2003  Airbus Industrie: most efficient operator of A330s in the world among small fleets

27. 2004  Launch of domestic floatplane service‚ SriLankan Air Taxi

28. 2004  Launch of Serendib Lounge‚ the new Business Class Lounge in BIA

29. 2004  Avion Awards  Best Overall Inflight Entertainment among small fleets

30. 2004  Centre for Asia Pacific Aviation Award: Airline Turnaround of the Year

31. 2004  Skytrax Airline of the Year  Central Asia

32. 2004  Launch of the community arm, SriLankan Cares

33. 2005  Launched massive relief effort in the aftermath of the devastating 2004 Boxing Day tsunami

34. 2006  Launch of International Aviation Academy 

35. 2006  Changi Airline Awards  Top five Airlines operating to Changi Airport- Singapore

36. 2006  SriLankan Catering commissions state of the art Flight Kitchen

37. 2006  Goa becomes SriLankan’s 50th destination

38. 2007  Receives IOSA safety and quality certification from IATA

39. 2007  Engineering awarded EASA 145 standard

40. 2007  PATA Best Airline Marketing Campaign Gold Award for “Home Away From Home”

41. 2007  First international airline to achieve 100 flights per week to India

42. 2008  Registration of ISAGO (IATA Operational Safety Audit for Ground operations)

43. 2008  Launch of frequent flyer programme, FlySmiLes

44. 2008  Management of SriLankan reverts to the Government of Sri Lanka

45. 2008  Airbus Industrie Global Award  Operational Excellence of A340s among small fleets

46. 2008  Re fleeting of A320s begins with arrival of first aircraft in four years

47. 2009  Launched Corporate Environment Policy

48. 2009  Operates pioneering First Green Flight in South Asia

49. 2009  Engineering carries out first ever Combined Heavy Maintenance Check

50. 2010  IATA Platinum Award for being among the first to launch 2D Bar Coded Boarding Passes

51. 2010  Effie Award in the Travel & Tourism category for ‘Hotseats’ marketing campaign

52. 2011  International Aviation Academy named a ‘Top Ten’ Training Centre in South Asia by IATA

53. 2011  Opens SriLankan Flight Academy with Sri Lanka’s first Flight Simulator for pilot training

54. 2012  APEX Best in Region -Asia & Australasia award at Passenger Choice Awards, USA

55. 2013  Enters IATA Premier Circle as one of Top Ten Training Centres in the world

56. 2014  SriLankan joins oneworld, an alliance of world class airlines

57. 2014  SriLankan Cares-funded modern child psychiatric unit opens at Lady Ridgeway Hospital

58. 2014  Takes delivery of three brand new A330 300 aircraft as part of re fleeting plan

59. 2015  APEX Passenger Choice Award for “Superior Achievement in Passenger Experience”

60. 2015  Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) award - Excellence in Human Resource - South Asia

61. 2016  World Travel Awards World’s Leading Airline Operating to the Indian Ocean

62. 2016  Launches operations to 11 new destinations including Gan Islands, Maldives, remaining the only international airline to date to fly to Gan

63. 2017  Inflight Asia Pacific Awards  Innovation in Commercial Airline Cabins

64. 2017  Induction of Airbus A320 and A321neo aircraft

65. 2017  Launched flights to Melbourne, Hyderabad, Coimbatore and Visakhapatnam

66. 2017  World Travel Awards  World’s Leading Airline to the Indian Ocean

67. 2017  Golden City Gate Awards, ITB Berlin - Gold Award MICE Promotions

68. 2017  APEX Awards  4 star rating in the Major Regional Airline category

69. 2017  Top Travel Awards  Best Airline in South Asia

70. 2018  Most punctual global airline in September; Over 91% of flights on-time

71. 2018  World Travel Awards  World’s Leading Airline to the Indian Ocean

72. 2018  APEX Awards  4 star rating in the Major Regional Airline category

73. 2018  Golden City Gate Awards, ITB Berlin  First Star, Campaign Category

74. 2019  Most punctual global airline in June; second time in less than 12 months

75. 2019  APEX Awards  4 star rating in the Major Airline category

76. 2019  PATA Gold Award  Marketing-Carrier

77. 2019  World Travel Awards  World’s Leading Airline to the Indian Ocean

78. 2019  SriLankan Aviation College named an IATA Regional Top performing Authorised Training Centre

79. 2019  Golden City Gate Awards, ITB Berlin  First Star, Airline Corporate Category

80. 2020  Commenced cargo flights to support local exporters during the pandemic

81. 2020  Operated mercy repatriation flights to Wuhan and other global cities

82. 2020  PATA Gold Award  Marketing-Carrier

83. 2020  First Star  Airline International category  Golden City Gate Awards, ITB Berlin

84. 2020  World Travel Awards  World’s Leading Airline to the Indian Ocean

85. 2020  Golden City Gate Awards, ITB Berlin - First Star, Campaign Category

86. 2021  Diamond Status  APEX Health and Safety Audit powered by SimpliFlying

87. 2021  “Best in Managing Health at Work” Asian Leadership Awards

88. 2021  World’s Leading Airline to the Indian Ocean  World Travel Awards

89. 2021  PATA Gold Award  Marketing Carrier

90. 2021  Engineering expands MRO business with several new customer airlines 

91. 2022  APEX Passenger Choice Awards  Best Cabin Service in Central Asia

92. 2022  APEX Awards  4 star rating in the Major Airline category

93. 2022  Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum (SMBR) Global Aviation Awards  Best Aviation Sustainability Programme (Mathaka upcycling project)

94. 2022  PATA Gold Award  Marketing Carrier

95. 2022  Changi Airline Awards Resilience Award

96. 2022  National Logistics Gold Award for SriLankan Cargo

97. 2023  APEX IFSA Best Inflight Food or Beverage 2024 Award  SriLankan Flavours

98. 2023  APEX Awards  4 star rating in the Major Airline category

99. 2023  India Cargo Awards  Best International Cargo Airline

100. 2023  PATA Gold Award  Marketing Carrier

101. 2023  First airline ground operator in South Asia to introduce a self service check-in and bag drop facility from SITA, the global leader in airport technology, for international travel

102. 2023  Arabian Cargo Awards - ‘Emerging Cargo Airline’ Award

103. 2024  PATA Gold Award- Marketing-Carrier

“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,” reflected Ashok Pathirage, Chairman of SriLankan Airlines.

“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,” added Richard Nuttall, Chief Executive Officer of SriLankan Airlines.

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. For more information visit www.srilankan.com 


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