SriLankan takes steps to block swine flu
SriLankan Airlines has implemented a series of precautionary measures
in response to the threat posed by the A(H1N1) Swine Flu, to protect its
passengers and prevent the spread of the disease.
Captain Milinda Ratnayake, Head of Service Delivery, said: "We'd like
to reassure our passengers that there is no cause for alarm. SriLankan
Airlines does not operate to North America where the disease has reached
epidemic proportions. However, we are an airline that has a proud
tradition of safeguarding our passengers throughout our network. We also
take our role as Sri Lanka's national carrier very seriously, and will
do out utmost to protect the interests of all Sri Lankans."
The airline has in the recent past taken similar precautions during
the SARS and Bird Flu epidemics, although no cases of either disease
were ever detected in Sri Lanka.
SriLankan's Company Medical Officer, Dr. Anomi Jayasinghe, said: "We
are closely monitoring the situation and taking every possible
precautionary measure. We are working with health and immigration
authorities in every country that we fly, to ensure that we give them
the maximum assistance in preventing the spread of the disease.
SriLankan is also closely following the advice of the World Health
Organisation (WHO) and the International Air Transport Association (IATA)
on the Swine Flu epidemic."
All of SriLankan's aircraft are fitted with modern air filtration
systems that have HEPA filters which trap particles including bacteria.
The ventilation system also restricts the movement of air around the
cabin, by pumping air in from the ceiling and drawing it out at floor
level - so it has a downward circulation pattern, and not along the
length of the aircraft ..
Manager Inflight Service Delivery, Rashmore Ferdinands, said: "Our
cabin crew and our staff at airports around Europe and Asia have been
given special instructions with regard to Swine Flu.
We firmly believe that awareness will be a key factor in preventing
the spread of this disease."
Sri Lanka's authorities have set up a special Health Desk at
Colombo's Bandaranaike International Airport, and issued special forms
for passengers to fill on arrival.
Notices have also been displayed in several languages to create
awareness among passengers on the disease.
SriLankan has a network covering 38 cities in 25 countries in Europe,
the Middle East, Subcontinent, and the Far East.
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