SriLankan Airlines has become the first airline from this part of the world to join the oneworld alliance. Speaking at a glittering ceremony held at the island’s newest gateway – Matthala International Airport, Rupert Hogg, Chief Operating Officer, Cathay Pacific, which acts as AriLankan Airlines’ sponsor into the alliance, stated that the addition completes oneworld alliance’s largest expansion operation, with 15 members signed on in a span of just two years.
Addressing the media in attendance, Bruce Ashby, CEO, oneworld Governing Board said, “This new member takes our reach to almost 1,000 destinations, making us the number two alliance in terms of revenue – one large member away from being number one.”
He further revealed that the alliance will provide SriLankan Airlines customers with improved customer service and quality standards, lounge access, and loyalty programmes, among other advantages. In addition, the alliance is launching double miles for the FlySmiLes loyalty programme cardholders as a celebratory offer.
Nishantha Wickremasinghe, Chairman, SriLankan Airlines lauded the alliance for making Colombo a new hub. “In 2013, SriLankan Airlines carried 10 million passengers to 30 countries. We registered a 30 per cent increase in foreign tourist arrivals last year. We target 2.5 million FTAs by 2016. Joining oneworld will improve our global connectivity and reputation.”
The Chairman further announced key developments – codeshare agreements with Malaysia Airlines, Finnair and Russian carrier S7. Kapila Chandrasena, Chief Executive Officer, SriLankan Airlines commented that the carrier is expecting US$ 25-30 million incremental value from the alliance. The main features, he added, will be fleet expansion and modernisation, control of costs, and benchmark services to match global standards.
However, speaking on the sidelines of the event, GT Jeyaseelan, Chief Marketing Officer, SriLankan Airlines divulged that the carrier’s immediate focus will be to refurbishing its fleet to include new aircraft rather than expand the current fleet size. Chandrasena further stated that an investment of US$ 500 million will be made towards new aircraft purchase, including A330-300 and A 350 models.
