SriLankan Airlines has been honoured for its excellent services at Colombo’s Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) by Kuwait Airways.
SriLankan is the sole ground handler for all airlines at BIA, and provides facilities and services in check-in, baggage handling, all types of services for aircraft, and cargo handling.
The Chairman of Kuwait Airways, Hamad Alfalah, presented the award for “Excellent Support Rendered to Kuwait Airways over the Past Years” at a gala dinner to celebrate the Middle Eastern carrier’s 40th anniversary, at the Fingara Country & Recreation Club in Colombo.
Deshamanya Dr. Lalith Kotelawala, Chairman of South Asian Travels, Kuwait Airways’ general sales agent in Sri Lanka, and Dr. Sicille Kotelawala, Vice Chairman, were also present. The event was attended by the top travel agents in Sri Lanka, others in the hospitality industry, and government officials overseeing tourism and aviation.
Captain Milinda Ratnayake, Head of Service Delivery at SriLankan, said: “We are delighted to receive yet another award for our excellent service. SriLankan Airlines prides itself on providing the warmest, friendliest, and most efficient service both in the sky and on the ground. And to be recognised by another of our peers in the international airline industry is indeed an honour to be appreciated.”
The award was received on behalf of SriLankan Airlines by Ajith Fernando, Manager Airport Service Support, and Yohan Pathirana, Manager Airport Service Delivery.
Yohan Pathirana, Manager Airport Service Delivery, said: “SriLankan Airlines handles millions of passengers every year at BIA, and all credit to our staff for the high levels of service that they provide. SriLankan takes great pride in maintaining the highest standards at BIA, where we run a 24-hour operation, 365 days of the year, to serve passengers from Europe, North America, the Subcontinent, the Far East, and every other region.”
Ajith Fernando, Manager Airport Service Support, said: “An airport is like a mini-city with hundreds of people working behind the scenes in roles such as loading and unloading, aircraft cleaning, and driving and operating vehicles and equipment. Most of these services operate unseen by passengers, but our colleagues in other airlines have a firsthand view of our work, which is what makes this award special.”
SriLankan has often been honoured by many of the more than 25 airlines that frequent BIA, which has built up a reputation as the finest airport in South Asia. Sri Lanka’s National Carrier closely supports the efforts of Airport & Aviation Services Sri Lanka, which recently launched yet another programme to enhance facilities at the country’s airport. BIA already has plush and sophisticated facilities such as aerobridges, the finest Duty Free Shopping Complex in the region, and luxurious lounges such as SriLankan Airlines “Serendib” Business Class lounge.
