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SriLankan Airlines USA company history timeline

1979

Aviation was not restricted to domestic flights and international travel on Air Lanka, which was inaugurated in 1979, also began to increase in popularity.

Airports Authority Act of 1979 promulgated and the Airport Authority is established.

Launched in 1979, Sri Lanka’s National Carrier is an award winning airline with a solid reputation for service, comfort, safety, reliability, and punctuality.

1982

In 1982, SriLankan obtained its first fully-owned plane – an L1011 Tristar.

1990

By 1990, Air Lanka served 26 destinations.

1992

In December 1992, the airline purchased its first Airbus A320.

1998

In 1998, Air Lanka was privatized to the Dubai based Emirates Group.

2001

In late July, 2001, a terrorist attack on the Bandaranaike Airport disabled half of SriLankan Airlines’ fleet (3 aircraft destroyed, and 3 badly damaged), which had 12 aircraft in use.

2002

Following the signing of the Ceasefire Agreement with LTTE rebels in 2002, which heralded a period of temporary peace, several local airlines commenced domestic operations to destinations such as Jaffna, Trincomalee and Ampara.

2003

Skywards Freddie award winner 2003

2004

The Observer travel award ranking as sixth best long-haul airline for 2004

Skywards Freddie award winner 2004

2005

Skywards Freddie award winner 2005

2006

CAAS Award 2006 for ‘Top five Airlines operating to Changi Airport- Singapore’ Best Airline Operator from South Asia at the annual KLIA awards.

2007

On 19 December 2007, then SriLankan Airlines CEO Peter Hill had his work permit cancelled by the Sri Lankan Government for refusing to remove 35 passengers in a fully booked flight to give space for the President, Mahinda Rajapaksa and his entourage.

2008

After the 10-year strategic partnership ended in 2008, Emirates chose not to renew the contract.

In 2008, the Government of Sri Lanka chose to discontinue the management contract with Emirates Airlines, and the new management managed to push the airline downhill, selling six aircraft in just a year to earn money.

2009

Best Airline Operator from South Asia at the annual KLIA awards SITA Loyalty Award for 30 years of loyal commitment Presidential Travel & Tourism Award – Airline of the year 2009

2010

The flight attendant's uniform remained unchanged since the days of Air Lanka until February 2010, when a new uniform was unveiled and introduced into service.

The first destination announced amidst their expansion plans is Shanghai, China which begins on the 1st of July 2010.

Emirates sold its 43.63% stake in the airline to the Government of Sri Lanka in a deal that was finalized in 2010, thus ending any affiliations the two airlines had with each other.

In 2010, the Government of Sri Lanka consolidated its hold over the national carrier when it bought Emirates’ stake of 43.63% in SriLankan Airlines, thus ending any affiliations SriLankan Airlines and Emirates had with each other.

Won 01 Trophy, 02 Gold medals,14 Silver medals and 07Bronze medals at the Culinary Art 2010.

2011

The airline aims to start flying to Moscow, Russia by February 2011.

In 2011, by launching new services to Guangzhou, Kochi, and Moscow, SriLankan Airlines expanded its global route network to 51 destinations in 32 countries.

2012

In 2012, SriLankan Airlines was announced as Oneworld’s latest member-elect.

2014

It became a member of the oneworld alliance in 2014, joining the likes of Qantas, American Airlines, and Cathay Pacific.

2016

In October 2016, in a bid to create a single stronger national airline for Sri Lanka, SriLankan Airlines absorbed the operations of Mihin Lanka, a low-fare leisure airline, thus SriLankan adding ten new destinations to its route network.

At the end of 2016, SriLankan Airlines suspended its operations to Paris, Frankfurt, and Rome.

2017

In October 2017, SriLankan Airlines launched direct daily non-stop flights to Melbourne, Australia, but this new long-haul route is an exception, and the airline maintains its short-haul focused network strategy.

126.9 billion (USD 830.7 million) for the financial year of 2017/18, the highest ever in its 38-year history.

2018

In April 2018, SriLankan Airlines reported a record unaudited annual passenger revenue of Rs.

2019

To get back on track financially, the airline formulated a five-year plan starting in April 2019.

2020

Starting from 18th August 2020, Chinese and foreign travelers flying from Sri Lanka to China are required to obtain COVID-19 negative certificates within three (3) days – 72 hours prior to boarding.

2021

You can book any destination beyond Colombo after 01st December 2021

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Founded
1979
Company founded
Headquarters
Edison, NJ
Company headquarter
Founders
Luis Francos
Company founders
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SriLankan Airlines USA may also be known as or be related to SRI Lankan Travel, Inc, Sri Lankan Airlines- Usa, Sri lankan Airlines- USA and SriLankan Airlines USA.