SriLankan Airlines set to fly on “SmiLes”

A top official of the national carrier SriLankan Airlines said yesterday that there will not be a major change in the airline’s operations though the management would change from March 31 when the contract with Emirates would end.

In short, it indicated that Lankans are capable of running the national carrier - SriLankan Airlines

SriLankan Airlines Head of Worldwide Passenger Sales Manoj Gunawardena who talked to journalists at the launch of the airlines frequent flyer programme ‘SmiLes’ yesterday said the operations of airline would be the same though there would be a new owner and a new board of Directors.

Gunawardena said some routes would be scrutinized while more routes would be increased where possible. He said pulling out of Zurich and other destinations had nothing do with the lapsing of the contract as it was done long before the contract came to an end.

Commenting on the future of the airline without Emirates he said Sri Lankans are capable of handling the airline well. “I am sure Emirates too held the same opinion as it wouldn’t have opted out if it thought Lankans aren’t capable,” he pointed out.

With regard to the present situation where pilots and others have started to leave the company he said the Head of Human Resources would handle the matter.

SriLankan announced the launch of ‘SmiLes’ commencing April 1 2008, its new frequent flyer program which promises a wide range of exciting rewards for passengers of Sri Lanka’s award-winning National Carrier.

The airlines previous frequent flyer program Skywards ends on March 31, as SriLankan’s management changes hands.

“SmiLes will be positioned as ‘the Frequent Flyer Programme that Rewards and Delights.’ It will open the door to a world of rewards for our passengers.” Mr. Gunawardene said commenting on the new frequent flyer programme.

Mr. Gunawardena added: “SmiLes will be introducing a number of partner airlines and other companies which will offer members a choice to both earn and burn miles for a variety of goods and services. These will range from hotel stays to bank services, retailers, and especially SriLankan Holidays - the airline’s leisure arm,” he added.

“SriLarikan’s smiling airline staff, both in the air and on the ground, have given the airline a global reputation for Warmth, Caring and friendliness,”. Hence the name SmiLes,” said Mr. Gunawardena.

SmiLes will have three tiers of membership — Gold, Silver, and Blue — according to how many miles are accrued. Every mile flown would be credited to his or her SmiLes account as one mile.

All members can exchange their miles for rewards such as free air tickets to in Europe, the Middle East, South Asia and the Far East; and upgrades. They also have a wide range of other benefits such as pie-assigned seating and priority wait-listing.

Gold and Silver members are entitled to even more exciting benefits. These include the use of the airline’s lounge at Colombo’s Bandaranaike International Airport, priority check-in, free excess baggage (up to 12 kg for Silver and 16 kg for Gold), priority baggage delivery, family bonus, and fast track facility (for Gold members).

Silver membership is for those who earn over 25,000 miles or fly a minimum of 20 sectors within a calendar year. Gold membership is for those with more than 50,000 miles or 40 sectors within a calendar year.

A passenger will be able to become a member of smiles by filling out a form which would be available at SriLankan ticket offices here and overseas, Bandaranaike International Airport, on board flights or at SmiLes Service Center at World Trade Center Colombo.

The Existing Skywards members will have a choice of transferring their Skywards Miles to SmiLes in full or part.

Article Courtesy : Yohan Perera