Emirates group announces half-year performance for 2017-2018

The Emirates group has announced its half-year results for 2017-18. The group saw steady revenue growth and a rebound on profitability compared to the same period last year, in spite of the continuing downward pressure on margins, a rise in oil prices and other challenges for the airline and  travel industry.  

Casons Rent-a-car accoladed at South Asian Travel Awards

The South Asian Travel Awards, the first-ever regional travel awards endorsed by multinational associations with the aim of encouraging and raising service standards within the regions of the tourism industry, was held on 28 October in Addu City, Maldives.

Aitken Spence Travels to bring 13 charter flights from Poland this season

Strengthening a new front in its efforts to promote tourism to Sri Lanka, Aitken Spence Travels announced that it will be attracting 13 charter flights from Poland this season, with one arriving every 10 days till mid-March 2018.

Etihad to suspend Abu Dhabi-Dallas/Fort Worth route in 2018

Etihad Airways has announced the suspension of its Abu Dhabi – Dallas/Fort Worth (DFW) route effective March 25, 2018, as it will become commercially unsustainable following American Airlines’ unilateral decision to terminate its codeshare agreement with the airline.

Cathay Pacific launches flash sale to China on Singles’ Day

Cathay Pacific Airways announced a flash sale to over 20 of its online destinations in Mainland China at fares starting from Rs.62,100 (return/all inclusive) in Economy Class. 

Classic Travel introduces special offers for student travellers

In a bid to offer complete travel solutions to Sri Lankan outbound tertiary education students and their accompanying parents, Classic Travel affords a variety of services ranging from special rates on air fares, student insurance to complimentary 

Emirates welcomes 100th A380 to its fleet

Emirates has celebrated the milestone delivery of its 100th Airbus A380 aircraft at a special ceremony with Airbus at the manufacturer’s delivery centre in Hamburg.

SriLankan voted as Best Airline in South Asia

SriLankan Airlines became the toast of the region’s airline industry when it was chosen as the ‘Leading International Airline’ at the second annual South Asian Travel Awards 2017, convincingly beating out other airlines from several countries, while SriLankan’s Business Class was named the ‘Best in Class’ among all airline cabin classes in the region.

Gulf Air launches ‘Holidays’ initiative offering packages

Gulf Air, the Kingdom of Bahrain’s national carrier, has officially launched one of the airline’s most highly anticipated initiatives “Gulf Air Holidays”, offering travellers a wide range of holiday packages and tailor-made travel solutions to destinations worldwide – across the Gulf Air network – available via holidays.gulfair.com. 

SriLankan wins award for ‘Innovation in Commercial Airline Cabins’

SriLankan Airlines added yet another prestigious award to its impressive list of recent global airline industry accolades when it won the ‘Innovation in Commercial Airline Cabins’ award at the In-flight Asia Pacific Awards in Singapore recently.

Etihad Aviation Group, Alibaba Group and Ant Financial sign MoU

Etihad Aviation Group (EAG), Alibaba Group Holding Limited (BABA) and Ant Financial Services Group (ANT Group) signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) recently to expand their partnership and deliver superior products and services to 

CICT highlights Colombo Port as pivotal player in global trade

The pivotal role played by the Port of Colombo in global trade and its contribution towards the betterment of the South Asian region was the focus of a presentation made by Colombo International Container Terminals (CICT) recently at an international forum in Shenzhen, China. 

Mercmarine Navigation Officer Cadets pass out; lady cadet tops batch

The 23rd batch of Navigation Officer Cadets at Mercmarine Training recently passed out amidst much ceremony at the institute’s training facility in Galle. The glamorous event was graced by Chief Guest Sonia Lapointe, wife of the German ambassador in Sri Lanka, the officials of the Mercmarine Group, parents and well-wishers.

Emirates and aviation partners to build worlds first Aviation X-Lab

In the continued effort to achieve the vision of ‘UAE Centennial Plan 2071’, Emirates airline and a consortium of industry partners are announcing a partnership to build the world’s first sector-wide Experimental X-Lab to co-create the next era of human transportation at Area 2071.

SIA new cabin products to debut on Singapore-Sydney route

Singapore Airlines’ eagerly awaited new cabin products, which will be revealed at global launch events in Singapore over 2nd to 4th November, will debut on the Singapore-Sydney route  in December.

Oman Air celebrates Oman’s 47th National Day with global sale

Oman Air is delighted to announce a grand global sale to coincide with and to celebrate the 47th National Day of the Sultanate of Oman.

Qatar Airways offers incredible promotions to celebrate 20th anniversary

Qatar Airways is celebrating its 20th anniversary by providing incredible fares across both its Economy and Business Class cabins, in addition to offering 20 lucky winners a Privilege Club Gold membership and discounts of up to 50 percent on redemption tickets to select destinations to Privilege Club members across its growing global network.

Sri Lanka targets leading Middle Eastern tour operators

Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau successfully concluded a week long promotional mission to the Middle East as part of its on-going efforts to develop new markets and increase the number of visitors and spend from the region to Sri Lanka. 

GFH appoints new Operations Director

An iconic heritage property, the Galle Face hotel has expanded their management team and announced that Tilome Nanayakkara has taken up office as the new Director of Operations. 

Galle Beach Hotel set to transform heritage city

The soon to be completed Galle Beach Hotel, the latest offering from Asia Leisure (Pvt) Ltd, the leisure subsidiary of Asia Capital PLC,is currently been constructed on a 2-acre land consisting of 100 sea view rooms.

SLITHM takes hospitality training to Jaffna

In a strategic move to counter the shortage of trained hospitality industry personnel, the state-run Sri Lanka Institute of Tourism and Hotel Management opened a new training facility in the northern city of Jaffna recently.

Emirates offers extra baggage allowance for travellers to Australia

Travellers from Colombo to Melbourne are eligible for an extra baggage allowance of 10kgs on outbound travel till end November 2017 courtesy of Emirates, a global connector of people, places and aspirations.

Vista Rooms partners with handy to empower hotels with free smartphones

Vista Rooms, South Asia’s largest chain of affordable stays, has partnered with handy to provide its network of hotels with free smartphones, allowing guests to enjoy unlimited international calls and data and access to local guides whereas hoteliers have an opportunity to up, sell their services.  The partnership will give Vista’s partner hotels a competitive advantage and provide their customers with greater convenience and com

SIA finalises US$13.8b order for Boeing aircraft

Singapore Airlines (SIA) has formally signed a firm order with Boeing for 20 777-9s and 19 787-10s, for additional growth and fleet modernisation through the next decade.

Sri Lanka Tourism moves into Google’s G Suite

The Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority (SLTDA), the apex body of Sri Lanka tourism, has moved into G Suite, the cloud-based application from Google, to improve its internal communications and to advance the services it offers to the industry at large.

THASL crowns most outstanding hoteliers at ‘Rising Stars Awards 2017’

Concluding the long quest for the most outstanding personalities in the hotel industry, The Hotels Association of Sri Lanka (THASL) concluded the vibrant award ceremony, Rising Stars Awards 2017, on a successful note recently. 

Makeyourtrip.com adds unique destinations

Makeyourtrip.com, Sri Lanka’s first online platform to build, customise, edit and price travel itineraries, has widened its reach by adding a number of fantastic new destinations to select from.

Emirates, the world’s largest flying restaurant

Emirates serves more than 100 million meals a year with the same attention to detail in First, Business and Economy Class.

SIA mobile app adds Android Pay And Apple Pay as payment options

Singapore Airlines (SIA) customers can enjoy a more convenient and faster payment method with the introduction of Android Pay and Apple Pay mobile payment services on the Airline’s award-winning mobile app.

Etihad partners Alibaba Tmall and Alitrip

Etihad Airways in collaboration with Alibaba’s Tmall and Alitrip will debut a specially branded aircraft livery for the 11.11 Global Shopping Festival 2017.