Etihad Airways announces Global Sale in Sri Lanka

Etihad Airways, the national airline of the United Arab Emirates, is offering travellers from Sri Lanka fantastic savings in its latest Global Sale. 

A taskforce to advise on shipping issues is the need of the hour: ICS Chair

Following is the speech delivered by Institute of Chartered Shipbrokers (ICS) - UK Sri Lanka Branch Chairman Lalith Witanachchi at the organisation’s 22nd Annual Awards Ceremony. Speaker of Parliament

Emirates to deliver a 14,000km flight in the shortest time

Emirates Airline’s first non-stop service between Auckland and Dubai will be one of the longest air routes in the world by distance, but with the assistance of clever technology and good planning, passengers

Etihad Airways collects leading finance award

Etihad Airways has been presented with the Best Finance Transformation Award in 2015 by Innovation Enterprise, a leading US-based company specialising in enterprise innovation. The award was given to Etihad Airways

Tourism Ministry calls for immediate revamping of Tourist Police

The Tourism Development Ministry is concerned by the recent media reports on the exploitation and harassment of foreign tourists. This is in a backdrop where the ministry has also been receiving an increasing number of direct complaints from tour i s t s . Considering the emerging trend, the ministry has c

IMO calls local authorities to gather steam in complying with new container weight rule

The officials of the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) called on the local authorities to gather steam in developing the national regulations, ensuring the country would be in compliance with the new container weight rule under the Safety of Life At Sea (SOLAS) convention, which will come into effect on July 1, 2016.

Luxury yachts to attract tourists to Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka recently embarked on a novel project to manufacture and market luxury yachts as a new initiative under the country’s tourism drive. The foundation stone for the yacht factory was laid at a ceremony presided over by Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Development Minister Mahinda Amaraweera, M.P. Several distinguished guests including Chathura Senaratne, M.P. were present on the occasion.

IATA says Bangkok airport a safety risk, needs urgent expansion

REUTERS: The International Air Transport Association (IATA) has warned that Bangkok’s main Suvarnabhumi Airport is a safety risk, with “serious” overcrowding soon to become a critical issue, and urgent expansion needed, the Nation daily reported on Friday.

Boeing gets US licence to talk to Iranian carriers

REUTERS: Boeing has received a licence from the United States to hold talks with airlines in Iran about buying airliners but it would need additional approval to make sales.

SLDA to focus on sports tourism to lure travellers

By Shabiya Ali Ahlam The Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority (SLTDA) this year will focus much of its efforts in the area of sports to address the lack of activities available in the country and promoting it as a top destination.

Qatar Airways exhibits latest and finest fleet at Singapore Airshow 2016

Qatar Airways hosted guests and visitors on the opening day of Singapore Airshow 2016 on board its state-of-the-art fleet. The award-winning carrier had three of its latest-generation aircraft on static display at Asia Pacific’s largest aerospace event.

TripAdvisor recognises Uga Bay as Sri Lanka’s top hotel; Jungle Beach in top 10

Leading local leisure group Uga Escapes had two of its luxury boutique hotels honoured with 2016 TripAdvisor Travellers’ Choice awards, with Uga Bay in Passikudah finishing first in the Top 25 Hotels in Sri Lanka category and Jungle Beach in Kuchchaveli being ranked in the top 10.

Sri Lanka Tourism at SATTE 2016 to attract high-end Indian tourists

The Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau participated in South Asia’s Travel and Tourism Exchange (SATTE) 2016, New Delhi, India along with 32 industry members inclusive of hoteliers and tour operators from Sri Lanka. 

Emirates increases service to Los Angeles

Emirates has announced that it plans to launch a second daily service from Dubai International Airport (DXB) to Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) on Friday, July 1, 2016. The second Los Angeles flight will be operated

Qatar Airways ranked among world’s most powerful brands

Qatar Airways has been ranked as one of the world’s most valuable brands for the first time, becoming the only Qatari company to be represented in the 2016 top 500 global brand ranking. Brand Finance, a world-leading independent

SriLankan and Dialog join hands to offer customers FlySmiLes benefits

The winners of the recently concluded joint competition for SriLankan Airlines FlySmiLes and Dialog Star Points members, was announced at a function at the Dialog Iconic Store premises. The competition was organised to encourage

Air Arabia profit slips 6% in 2015

AFP: Sharjah-based budget carrier Air Arabia said its 2015 net profit fell six percent to 531 million dirhams ($144.69 million) although turnover rose slightly.

India’s Jet Airways posts record quarterly net profit

REUTERS - India’s Jet Airways Ltd said its December quarter net profit rose more than seven times, with sharply lower fuel costs helping the carrier post a third consecutive quarterly gain following a series of losses.

Beauty pageant to give big boost for tourism

The ‘Ms. Tourism Sri Lanka-International’ pageant is organized by Essential Entertainment for the first time, with the aim of taking Sri Lanka to the world. 

Air travel demand in 2015 best in five years: IATA

The International Air Transport Association (IATA) announced global passenger traffic results for 2015 showing demand (revenue passenger kilometers or RPKs) rose 6.5 percent for the full year compared to 2014. 

Celebrity Chef Marco Pierre White acclaims Cinnamon Air

Cinnamon Air, Sri Lanka’s premier domestic airline,is glad to have had world-famous culinary legend Marco Pierre White on board during his visit to Sri Lanka organised by Cinnamon Hotels & Resorts in collaboration with the British High Commission and SriLankan Airlines.   

ICS (UK) breaks new ground in China

The Institute of Chartered Shipbrokers (ICS) UK said it has signed a Tripartite Co-operation Agreement with China’s Ministry of Transport and China (Shanghai) Pilot Free Trade Zone, to launch the International Shipping Professionalism Development Programme.   

Mihin flies Tamil Nadu Chamber delegation to Sri Lanka

Mihin Lanka, Sri Lanka’s national low-cost carrier flew the Tamil Nadu Chamber of Commerce and Industries (TCCI) delegation from Madurai to Sri Lanka recently.   

Oman Air Conference looks forward to exciting 2016

A positive future and continued expansion will be the focus for Oman Air, as the airline starts the year with their major global conference in Muscat, under the theme “

Kuwait Airways introduces mega sales offer

Kuwait Airways, the national carrier of the State of Kuwait introduces special fares to the passengers with exclusive discounts. 

Mihin Lanka continues to provide affordable travel solutions to region

Mihin Lanka, Sri Lanka’s national low-cost carrier, offers travellers affordable and convenient flight options, to an array of key destinations across the Asian,

Emirates Group releases 5th Annual Environmental Report

The Emirates Group, comprising Emirates airline and dnata, has released its fifth annual environmental report for 2014-15.

Turkish Airlines and Boeing sign long-term collaboration agreement

Turkish Airlines and Boeing, building on their 70-year relationship, have signed a collaboration agreement that will strengthen Turkish Airlines’ long-term industry leadership, as well as Turkey’s aerospace and technology capabilities. 

Browns Tours launches very own office premises

Browns Tours Ltd, a fullyowned subsidiary of Browns Group of Companies and a pioneer in outbound tours, has marked a successful tenure in business excellence with the launch of its very own office premises.

Qatar Airways celebrates one-year anniversary of A350 operations

Qatar Airways celebrated its one-year anniversary of A350 operations by hosting royal guests, media and trade partners at its dedicated chalet on the first day of Bahrain International Airshow (BIAS), the first aviation show of the year