Emirates celebrates 30 years of connecting Sri Lanka to the world

On April 1st 1986, an Emirates Boeing 727-200 Flight EK 800 departed Dubai International Airport touching down in Colombo, Emirates’ fourth global destination. Thirty years later, Emirates has logged 56 million miles, transported thousands of tonnes of cargo and continues to connect Sri Lanka to the world, with 34 flights a week to Dubai, Malé and Singapore.  

 With approximately 12,000 seats and 780 tons of cargo per week each way, Emirates’ service to Sri Lanka has proven to be an indispensable resource for travellers, exporters and importers over the years. The airline has already announced it will increase capacity further with the addition of a fifth daily flight between Colombo and Dubai from 1st August 2016.

 “We would like to thank all our customers and industry partners in Sri Lanka for their long-standing support over the years. We are proud to contribute to the country’s thriving tourism and trade industry, connecting Sri Lanka with more than 150 destinations across six continents. Over the past few decades, we introduced new products on the route and provided an award-winning inflight and on ground experience to Sri Lankan travellers. It’s been a remarkable journey and we look forward to offering further choice and excellent value for money to our customers in Sri Lanka,” said Ahmed Khoory, Emirates’ senior vice president, Commercial operations- West Asia and Indian Ocean.

Emirates has recorded solid year-on-year growth in Sri Lanka over the years, carrying nearly four million passengers on the route in the last two and half decades. Sri Lanka has also emerged as an important cargo destination for the airline in the region as Emirates SkyCargo continues to be a preferred carrier for the country’s exports.

 “West Asia has always been an important growth region for SkyCargo.  Over the past 30 years, we’ve seen the route perform very well, with increasing volumes of cargo carried out of Colombo to important markets in Europe and the Americas via our hub in Dubai. When combined with the efficiency of one of the youngest fleets in the skies, unrivalled ground-handling facilities, and the very latest information technology, Emirates SkyCargo is the ideal partner for Sri Lankan-based businesses as they look to boost trade,” said Jassim Saif, Vice President Cargo Commercial - West Asia and South East Asia.

 Key Colombo exports include ready-made garments, fruit and vegetables, betel leaves, cut foliage and edible fish, with the latter accounting for over 40 % of Sri Lanka’s total air cargo tonnage in perishables.

Chandana de Silva, one of the pioneers from the early days and now Emirates Area Manager for Sri Lanka & Maldives added: “No other international airline has been as closely engaged with the people of Sri Lanka and their travel aspirations or with the country’s economic growth as Emirates has.”

Companion Fare Sale – 30% Discount

To celebrate its 30th anniversary in Sri Lanka, Emirates has announced it is offering a discount of 30 per cent on Economy and Business Class fares to 30 popular destinations for two or more people travelling together from Colombo.  These special ‘companion fares’ will be on sale till Thursday 14th April, and will be valid for travel up to 30th November 2016. Covering USA, Europe, Africa, Australia and the Middle East, the 30 destinations include New York, San Francisco, Orlando, London, Paris, Frankfurt, Milan, Melbourne, Sydney, Singapore, Malé and Emirates’ home base Dubai. Customers can avail of this special offer by visiting www.emirates.com/lk, calling Emirates Reservations on 4704070 or by contacting their travel agents.

Milestones abound in Emirates’ three decades of linking Sri Lanka to the world. These include the launch of Boeing 777 services to Colombo in 1997, a 10-year management contract with the national carrier from 1998 to 2008, the opening of the airline’s own dedicated lounge for First and Business Class passengers at the Bandaranaike International Airport in 2012 and the opening of a branch office in Kandy in 2014.

To date, Emirates is the only international airline to operate flights to Sri Lanka in three-class configuration, exclusively offering its legendary First Class service to and from Colombo.

 Passengers on Emirates flights from Colombo enjoy the famed hospitality of its multi-national Cabin Crew, which includes more than 150 Sri Lankans, as well as gourmet cuisine and Emirates’ award-winning ice entertainment system. With more than 2,500 channels, from movies, television programmes, games, audio books, and music, ice has been named the world’s best inflight entertainment system by Skytrax for 11 consecutive years.

 Emirates passengers also benefit from a generous baggage allowance of 30kg in Economy Class, 40kg in Business Class and 50 kg in First Class. Passengers travelling in premium cabins enjoy lounge access as well as Emirates’ Chauffeur-drive service. All travel with Emirates earns passengers Skywards Miles on the airline’s award-winning frequent flyer program. Accrued Skywards Miles can be redeemed for free tickets, travel upgrades or other benefits.