SriLankan Airlines turns 45: Celebrating a journey of milestones

National carrier, SriLankan Airlines turns 45, celebrating a trailblazing journey that took off on 1 September, 1979, with just two Boeing 707 aircrafts. 

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. 

 “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,” SriLankan Airlines Chairman Ashok Pathirage reflected. 

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.

“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,” SriLankan Airlines Chief Executive Officer Richard Nuttall added.

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. 

Key milestones and achievements:

1979– Launch of Air Lanka with two Boeing 707 aircrafts (1 September)

1979– Maiden flight to Bangkok on 1 September

1979 –Services are launched to Bahrain, Frankfurt, London, Singapore, Kuala Lumpur, Dubai, Paris, Zurich, Madras and Male 

1980– Launch of Air Lanka Catering Ltd.

1980– First Lockheed L1011 Tristar acquired

1984– Boeing 747-200 acquired

1990 –Air Lanka becomes a member of IATA (International Air Transport Association)

1990 –Three Ilyushin IL-86’s leased to operate mercy flights for Sri Lankans fleeing Gulf War

1991 – First international airline to obtain IATA accreditation for its Centre for Training

1992 – Launched frequent flyer program “The Serendib Club”

1993– First Airbus A320-200 acquired

1994– First Airbus A340 acquired, becoming the first in South Asia to operate Airbus A340

1998 – Enters into a strategic partnership with Emirates 

1999– Air Lanka rebranded as SriLankan Airlines

1999– First Airbus A330-200 acquired

2000 – Phased out Lockheed Tristars for an all-Airbus fleet

2000 – The cargo arm rebranded as ‘SriLankan Cargo’ and as a separate entity

2000 – SriLankan Cargo launches dedicated freighter service using Antonov AN12F aircraft

2001 – Launch of revamped SriLankan website

2001 – Skytrax Airline of the Year - Central Asia

2002– Launch of leisure arm, SriLankan Holidays

2002 –Skytrax Airline of the Year - Central Asia 

2003– Skytrax names SriLankan as having “World’s Friendliest Cabin Staff”

2003 –Skytrax Airline of the Year - Central Asia

2003 – World Airline Entertainment Association (Avion awards) – Best Overall Inflight Entertainment among small fleets

2003 – Airbus Industrie: most efficient operator of A330s in the world among small fleets

2004 – Launch of domestic floatplane service, SriLankan Air Taxi

2004 – Launch of Serendib Lounge, the new Business Class Lounge in BIA 

2004 – Avion Awards – Best Overall Inflight Entertainment among small fleets

2004 – Centre for Asia Pacific Aviation Award: Airline Turnaround of the Year 

2004 –Skytrax Airline of the Year - Central Asia

2004 – Launch of the community arm, SriLankan Cares

2005 – Launched massive relief effort in the aftermath of the devastating 2004 Boxing Day tsunami 

2006 – Launch of International Aviation Academy (IAA)

2006 – Changi Airline Awards - Top five Airlines operating to Changi Airport- Singapore

2006 –SriLankan Catering commissions state-of-the-art Flight Kitchen 

2006 –Goa becomes SriLankan’s 50th destination

2007–Receives IOSA safety and quality certification from IATA

2007– Engineering awarded EASA (European Aviation Safety Agency) 145 standard 

2007 – PATA Best Airline Marketing Campaign Gold Award for “Home Away From Home” 

2007 – First international airline to achieve 100 flights per week to India

2008– Registration of ISAGO (IATA Operational Safety Audit for Ground operations)

2008– Launch of frequent flyer program, FlySmiLes 

2008 – Management of SriLankan reverts to the Government of Sri Lanka

2008 –Airbus Industrie Global Award - Operational Excellence of A340s among small fleets

2008 – Re-fleeting of A320s begins with arrival of first aircraft in four years

2009 –Launched Corporate Environment Policy 

2009 –Operates pioneering First Green Flight in South Asia

2009 –Engineering carries out first ever Combined Heavy Maintenance Check

2010 – IATA Platinum Award for being among the first to launch 2D Bar Coded Boarding Passes

2010 –Effie Award in the Travel & Tourism category for ‘Hotseats’ marketing campaign

2011 –International Aviation Academy named a ‘Top Ten’ Training Centre in South Asia by IATA

2011 – Opens SriLankan Flight Academy with Sri Lanka’s first Flight Simulator for pilot training 

2012 – APEX Best in Region - Asia & Australasia award at Passenger Choice Awards, USA

2013 – Enters IATA Premier Circle as one of Top Ten Training Centres in the world 

2014– SriLankan joins oneworld, an alliance of world class airlines

2014 – SriLankan Cares-funded modern child psychiatric unit opens at Lady Ridgeway Hospital

2014 – Takes delivery of three brand new A330-300 aircraft as part of re-fleeting plan

2015– APEX Passenger Choice Award for “Superior Achievement in Passenger Experience” 

2015 – Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) award - Excellence in Human Resource - South Asia

2016 – World Travel Awards - World’s Leading Airline Operating to the Indian Ocean

2016 – Launches operations to 11 new destinations including Gan Islands, Maldives, remaining the only international airline to date to fly to Gan

2017 – In-flight Asia Pacific Awards - Innovation in Commercial Airline Cabins 

2017– Induction of Airbus A320 and A321neo aircraft

2017 – Launched flights to Melbourne, Hyderabad, Coimbatore and Visakhapatnam

2017 – World Travel Awards - World’s Leading Airline to the Indian Ocean

2017 – Golden City Gate Awards, ITB Berlin - Gold Award MICE Promotions

2017 – APEX Awards - 4-star rating in the Major Regional Airline category

2017 – Top Travel Awards - Best Airline in South Asia

2018– Most punctual global airline in September; Over 91% of flights on-time

2018 – World Travel Awards - World’s Leading Airline to the Indian Ocean

2018 –APEX Awards - 4-star rating in the Major Regional Airline category

2018 –Golden City Gate Awards, ITB Berlin - First Star, Campaign Category

2019– Most punctual global airline in June; second time in less than 12 months!

2019 – APEX Awards - 4-star rating in the Major Airline category

2019– PATA Gold Award - Marketing-Carrier 

2019– World Travel Awards - World’s Leading Airline to the Indian Ocean

2019 – SriLankan Aviation College named an IATA Regional Top performing Authorised Training Centre

2019– Golden City Gate Awards, ITB Berlin - First Star, Airline-Corporate Category 

2020 – Commenced cargo flights to support local exporters during the pandemic 

2020– Operated mercy repatriation flights to Wuhan and other global cities

2020–PATA Gold Award - Marketing-Carrier

2020– First Star – Airline International category – Golden City Gate Awards, ITB Berlin

2020– World Travel Awards - World’s Leading Airline to the Indian Ocean

2020 – Golden City Gate Awards, ITB Berlin - First Star, Campaign Category

2021–Diamond Status – APEX Health and Safety Audit powered by SimpliFlying

2021 – “Best in Managing Health at Work” – Asian Leadership Awards

2021– World’s Leading Airline to the Indian Ocean – World Travel Awards

2021–PATA Gold Award - Marketing-Carrier

2021 – Engineering expands MRO business with several new customer airlines 

2022–APEX Passenger Choice Awards – Best Cabin Service in Central Asia

2022 – APEX Awards - 4-star rating in the Major Airline category

2022– Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum (SMBR) Global Aviation Awards – Best Aviation Sustainability Programme (Mathaka upcycling project)

2022–PATA Gold Award - Marketing-Carrier

2022 – Changi Airline Awards – Resilience Award

2023 – APEX IFSA Best Inflight Food or Beverage 2024 Award – SriLankan Flavours

2023 – APEX Awards - 4-star rating in the Major Airline category

2023–PATA Gold Award - Marketing-Carrier

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

2024 –PATA Gold Award - Marketing-Carrier