SriLankan Airlines, the National Carrier of Sri Lanka and a member of the oneworld alliance, won the prestigious ‘World’s Leading Airline to the Indian Ocean’ title once again at the Grand Final Gala Ceremony of World Travel Awards, in Lisbon, Portugal recently.

Congratulating SriLankan Airlines, World Travel Awards Founder Graham Cooke said: “SriLankan Airlines has demonstrated a relentless drive to improve its services and I am delighted that it has been acknowledged by both the travel trade and the public by being voted ‘World’s Leading Airline to the Indian Ocean.”

SriLankan Airlines’ Senior Manager Marketing Saminda Perera said: “This award highlights our efforts to establish a consolidated presence in the Indian Ocean region. Our expansion efforts have been consistent and in line with the market demands. Whilst increasing frequencies to popular destinations based on passenger demands, we have constantly endeavored to upgrade our product in order to provide an unmatchable travel experience. Our global connectivity across key regions has invariably made us a choice of travel to and from the Indian Subcontinent via our Colombo hub.”

In September this year, the Airline was awarded ‘Asia’s Leading Airline to the Indian Ocean’ and ‘Asia’s Leading Marketing Campaign’ titles at the WTA Asia Australasia ceremony and this award further reinforces the Airlines’ stature as a leading carrier in the Indian Subcontinent.

The award proves SriLankan’s presence in the South Asian region, strongly supported by its connectivity of 119 flights a week to 13 Indian cities (including seasonal operations to Bodh Gaya and Varanasi). The Airline also operates to other popular cities such as Dhaka, Karachi and Lahore.

The Maldives has been Sri Lanka’s extended home market with its connectivity to Male of 21 flights a week, facilitating leisure-seekers from its extensive network of Middle East, the Europe, the Far East and Australia. SriLankan also became the first Airline to connect Gan Island of South Maldives with the world, thus becoming the only airline that operates out of two points in the Maldives.

The other contenders to the title were Air Austral, Air France, Air India, Air Seychelles, AirAsia, British Airways, Emirates, Etihad Airways, KLM Royal Dutch Airlines, Lufthansa, Qatar Airways and Turkish Airlines.

The other award winners were, oneworld alliance, Changi International Airport, Hilton London Heathrow Airport, England, Lisbon, Portugal, Royal Caribbean International and Armani Hotel Dubai, United Arab Emirates.

World Travel Awards, celebrating 25th anniversary this year, was established in 1993 to acknowledge, reward and celebrate excellence across all key sectors of the travel, tourism and hospitality industries. Today, the World Travel Awards brand is recognised globally as the ultimate hallmark of industry excellence.

A sudden fire erupted in a private cargo plane which was preparing to depart from the Mattala International Airport this morning (26), the official in charge of the airport said.

The Russian-made twin engine Antonov-12 cargo plane flying from Bangkok, Thailand to Oman has landed at Mattala International Airport for refueling yesterday evening.

The plane with two pilots and crew of seven was due to leave Mattala this morning.

After the aircraft had been refueled, a fire broke out in one of the engines, as it was about to leave for Salam, Oman Salam at 8:30 am today.

The fire brigade unit at the airport has doused the fire, No one in the plane has been hurt.

A group of officers of the Civil Aviation Department is due to arrive at the airport this afternoon for inspections and following their recommendations, the aircraft will be directed to either leave or repair, the officer in charge of the Mattala Airport said.