SriLankan Airlines Turns 45: Celebrating a Journey of Milestones

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 IL-86’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 (IAA)
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 (European Aviation Safety Agency) 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 – In-flight 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, 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, 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