More passengers on SriLankan in 2012

SriLankan Airlines, the country's national carrier, has transported over three million passengers in 2011. The numbers indicate a growth for 2012, which is in line with the thriving tourism industry.

The number of passengers that travelled on SriLankan has shown a 27 percent growth in the first half of this year compared with the first half of last year.

SriLankan Airlines celebrates its 33rd anniversary this month. This milestone will be marked with religious ceremonies for the staff commencing from the first week of September.

SriLankan took flight on September 1, 1979 as AirLanka, with a humble fleet of two leased Boeing 707-300B jets. In 1994 AirLanka celebrated its 15th anniversary by being the first carrier in Asia to introduce Airbus A340 aircraft to its fleet. Four years later, a 10-year deal forged with Dubai-based Emirates had the airline soaring to new heights, as SriLankan Airlines, a media communique from the airline said.

Today, SriLankan's fleet has expanded to 21 Airbus A320, A330 and A340 aircraft, with some brand new, delivered just this year. Its network extends to 58 destinations in 33 countries in Europe, North America, Canada, Australia, Far East, Middle East and the Indian Subcontinent.

The airline has cemented a firm reputation worldwide for its service, comfort, safety and reliability, notching many enviable industry awards along the way.

These awards include the World's Friendliest Cabin Staff by Skytrax, Best Airline in South Asia from Travel Trade Gazette, World's Most Reliable Operator of Airbus A330s and A340s by Airbus Industrie and the Etihad Global Excellence Award for Best Regional Caterer, the release said.

The release said the life journey of the airline has been fascinating, checked with victories and surviving turmoil during the country's three decade long terrorism, which claimed half of its fleet during the airport attack in 2001, the global recession and stifling competition.

The airline is also in a phase of undertaking massive product enhancements starting with its fleet, with the acquisition of new A320s and the refurbishment of existing A330 and A340 aircraft.

- UK