SriLankan Airlines receives second A330-300

• New aircraft named ‘The City of Sihagiri’ to serve key Far Eastern markets

Sri Lanka’s national carrier and oneworld member, SriLankan Airlines, continuing its extensive wide-body re-fleeting program, received its second Airbus 330-300 on 19 December. The new aircraft, named ‘The City of Sihagiri’, will be utilised for the major Far Eastern markets of Canton, Shanghai, Beijing and Hong Kong. This latest wide body A330-300 aircraft, with its superior in-flight features and comfort, advanced technological features and enhanced fuel efficiency joins SriLankan’s existing all Airbus fleet. SriLankan Airlines Chief Executive Officer Kapila Chandrasena said: “The induction of another new A330-300 aircraft into our fleet within a short span of two months is testimony to our continuous efforts to modernise our aircraft fleet to deliver a superior flying experience for our valued passengers. We at SriLankan firmly believe the new A330-300s will be a successful chapter for us in operational terms, with the most recently acquired aircraft reflecting a strong customer interest and high seat factors on the routes it has been deployed on to date.” Chandrasena added: “We have already received very encouraging feedback from our customers expressing high levels of satisfaction over the superior features and comfort of this aircraft.” The A330-300, which is powered by twin Rolls Royce Trent 700 engines, is known for its proven passenger appeal and fuel efficiency and is one of the most widely-used wide body aircraft in service today. With the arrival of a brand new aircraft and another five to follow during the course of 2015, SriLankan Airlines will offer its customers the luxury of completely transformed Business and Economy class cabin interiors. Passengers will be afforded a new flying experience while satisfying customer demand for increased capacity on the primary routes of the Far East, thus enabling the airline to increase passenger traffic, strengthen load factors and improve market share in leading growth markets of the region, including some of Sri Lanka’s main tourism generating markets. Affording optimum levels of comfort in the aircraft cabin, the new A330-300 too will configure its layout, seating 297 passengers in two classes, accommodating 28 in Business Class and 269 in Economy. It also boasts of state-of-the- art cabin features such as the latest Thales Avant Audio-Video on Demand (AVOD) and ambient lighting across both cabins, onboard wireless connectivity and ultra-comfort in seating. In Business Class, plush individual flat-bed seats offering direct aisle access for every passenger, mood lighting that can simulate the Sunset and Sunrise, Night Sky (Star lighting), access to individual PC power sockets and Wi-Fi connectivity offer the discerning business traveller privacy combined with the comfort and luxury essential to help them relax and unwind during a long journey. Travellers on SriLankan Economy class too will have the opportunity to enjoy a similar range of comforts that include In-seat audio-video on demand, access to PC power sockets , Wi-Fi connectivity and mood lighting, coupled with the traditional warmth and hospitality of SriLankan Airlines’ renowned Inflight service, adding to a truly memorable experience. SriLankan is also the first airline from the Indian subcontinent to offer in-flight Wi-Fi and mobile phone access, enabling its passengers to stay productive and keep in touch with friends and family at affordable rates while flying. The airline commenced its fleet renewal program in October this year with the addition of the first A330-300 to its fleet. SriLankan will also be acquiring eight of the new generation A350-900s, with three due to be delivered in 2016 and a fourth in 2017 and the balance thereafter. Pix by Kumarasiri Prasad