CEYLON BUSINESS NEWS
SriLankan Flies in Leading Indian Finance Professionals
SriLankan Airlines partnered with Jetwing Travels to fly over 180 leading finance professionals from India Infoline Finance Limited to Colombo for an awards ceremony. The event’s organizers chose to fly SriLankan Airlines considering the airline’s capabilities to provide the complete package for destination MICE events. MICE tourism is a profitable niche that SriLankan is focalizing as the airline reinforces its support toward the country’s efforts to restore the local travel and tourism trade. SriLankan Airlines is, moreover, a consummate provider of MICE services for international organizations with its expansive network of flights and a dedicated team that is always on hand to assist the contemporary MICE traveller.
SriLankan Shines a Light on Seagrass Conservation
SriLankan Airlines along with its training arm, SriLankan Aviation College, partnered with the Ministry of Environment, Lanka Environment Fund and Blue Resources Trust to run a workshop for local scientists and professionals on mapping local seagrass meadows using drone-imagery. The workshop was preceded by a free public webinar on the potential of blue carbon ecosystems toward sustainable economic growth by Dr. Milica Stankovic, an eminent scholar on seagrass research from the Prince of Songkla University in Thailand.‬‬‬‬‬
Seagrass meadows are patches of flowering plants that grow in shallow ocean waters and can capture carbon up to 35 times faster than tropical rainforests, making it a Blue Carbon sequestering ecosystem with incredible ability to mitigate climate change. Seagrass meadows, however, are currently under serious threat from human activity.
“SriLankan Airlines hopes to bring about a positive change in seagrass conservation by advancing the scientific study and research of this vital natural resource. We hope our seminal work will also lead to accelerated progress in establishing Sri Lanka as a prominent South Asian research hub on blue carbon ecosystems,” stated Richard Nuttall, Chief Executive Officer of SriLankan Airlines.
For SriLankan Airlines, the decision to support seagrass conservation efforts was easy and fitting. The aviation industry has been grappling with carbon emissions for years and member airlines of the International Air Transport Association (IATA) including SriLankan Airlines, have committed to fly net zero carbon by 2050.
“Seagrasses are responsible for 11 per cent of the organic carbon buried in the ocean and is important to the equilibrium of the planet. SriLankan Aviation College is proud to play its part in facilitating national training in conservation of seagrass Blue Carbon ecosystems by creating knowledge, addressing learning gaps in the latest research techniques and creating awareness about the importance of this indispensable resource,” commented Primal De Silva, General Manager, SriLankan Aviation College.
The Head of Marketing, Saminda Perera, added that, “Sustainability has emerged to a prominent position in corporate and consumer consciences. Authentically sustainable, purpose-driven brands and the people-planet-profit model is winning across the board – economically and socially. As brand custodians of the national carrier of Sri Lanka, through these projects the marketing department of SriLankan Airlines is committed to be ever present, and uphold an ethical and responsible reputation for SriLankan Airlines globally.”
SriLankan’s steady support for a sustainable future is illustrated through the airline’s many, often novel initiatives and the workshop and webinar were also a celebration of United Nations recently adopting the Sri Lanka sponsored resolution to declare March 1st as 'World Seagrass Day'.
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SriLankan hosts famed British naturalist
SriLankan Airlines recently teamed with Jetwing Eco Holidays to sponsor the air travel of British travel writer and naturalist, Ed Hutchings, on his bird-watching tour of Sri Lanka, which will be featured in the Bird Watching magazine, UK. Hutchings’ work in Sri Lanka will help promote the island as a premier bird-watching destination in the UK. A strong advocate of Sri Lanka’s tourism industry, SriLankan Airlines frequently collaborates with local tour operators and travel writers to promote Sri Lanka.
SriLankan wins Gold - PATA Awards
SriLankan Airlines bagged a Gold Award in the category of ‘Marketing-Carrier’ at the 27 th Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) Gold Awards 2022, reaffirming the global appeal of its marketing communication endeavors. The campaign, ‘Say Bonjour to Paris’ is the fourth consecutive PATA Gold Award winning entry of the airline, which currently has a total of five PATA accolades under its belt.
This year’s virtual award ceremony crowned 25 Gold Award winners and two Grand Title winners out of 136 entries submitted by travel and tourism organizations and individuals worldwide, adjudged by a panel of 12 industry experts. Richard Nuttall, Chief Executive Officer of SriLankan Airlines said, “We are delighted to receive yet another PATA award for our Marketing initiatives, which celebrates our efforts to raise awareness and attract the attention of travellers and the industry fraternity. As the national carrier, we are honoured to put Sri Lanka on the map with this global accolade. We hope that it serves as an affirmation to the Sri Lankan tourism industry that we are heading in the right direction.”
‘Say Bonjour to Paris’ was created in line with the relaunch of three weekly, direct services between Paris and Colombo in October 2021. SriLankan Airlines returned to Paris after a break of six years, as such, establishing the airline brand was important for the longevity of the route and its contribution to the rest of the network. SriLankan Airlines, Head of Marketing, Saminda Perera said, “As we are defending this coveted title for the fourth-year consecutive year, I take this opportunity to thank the encouragement and support extended to us by the management, our valued partners, my team and our creative agency Wunderman Thompson, without whom this will never be a possibility.”
The campaign was aimed at those interested in visiting a new destination that they had never been to before, but not excluding those who were already familiar with the area. Since Paris is recognized as an iconic city of art, with over 1,000 art galleries across, the visual dialect used in the campaign explores a well-balanced fusion of a signature French style of illustrating posters; with a recognizable vintage look that has depicted ' Ceylon' as a travel destination. The minimalist-vintage, art nouveau style is akin to France's theatrical and travel posters. SriLankan Airlines also congratulates its valued hospitality partners, Jetwing Hotels and Cinnamon Hotels and Resorts, the other two Sri Lankan entities that have been recognized at the PATA Gold
Awards 2022.
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SriLankan resumes flights to Gan island- Maldives
SriLankan Airlines, the National Carrier of Sri Lanka and a member of the Oneworld alliance, resumed operations to picturesque Gan Island in Addu Atoll of the Maldives from yesterday, 4th December 2021. SriLankan will operate weekly, with flight UL119 departing at 10:40AM every Saturday from Colombo to Gan, which would return from Gan at 13:05PM on the same day.
Gan offers a distinct, off the beaten path experience to visitors. The island not only has pristine white sand beaches, which the Maldives is famous for but lush greenery and opportunities to experience the local culture and its people. Travellers can enjoy day excursions to Addu Nature Park to see Maldivian wildlife or smaller, neighbouring islands in addition to fishing trips; dolphin cruises; diving; snorkelling; surfing; canoeing; jet skiing; and paddleboarding. Tourists seeking a more luxurious getaway can easily transfer to a nearby Gaafu atoll that has ten branded luxury properties.
In December 2016, SriLankan became the first and only international carrier to operate direct flights to Gan allowing travellers to fly direct to the Island and save on time and money otherwise spent if travelling via Male. Male and Gan have been two of the most preferred holiday destinations in SriLankan’s network for luxury holiday travellers from Europe, the Middle East and the Far East. The Airline was compelled to cease operations to Gan temporarily in March 2020 with the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic but will reclaim its title as the only international carrier to fly direct to Gan with the resumption of flights this December.
SriLankan Airlines Chairman, Ashok Pathirage said, “We look forward to restarting operations to Gan and being the only international airline once again to fly direct to this underserved travel destination. We are anticipating relatively greater demand for flights to the Maldives in the coming months with the relaxation of travel restrictions, and Gan is ideal for those seeking something atypical to the standard Male experience,” he added.
Travellers from London; Frankfurt; Paris; Doha; Dubai; and Dammam who choose to book with SriLankan to travel to Gan will benefit from a direct and hassle-free journey owing to convenient connections via Colombo.
“Compared with the same period last year, SriLankan Airlines has been gradually expanding operations by introducing new destinations, increasing flight frequencies to existing destinations and restarting flights to destinations such as Gan. The Maldives has always been a premier leisure travel destination, and SriLankan will be the only international carrier to operate scheduled flights to two points in the Maldives. We were also the only international carrier to continue operations to Male without any disruptions even during the pandemic,” said Sri Lankan Airlines Head of World Wide Sales and Distribution Dimuthu Tennakoon.
SriLankan Airlines became the first carrier in the South Asian region to receive the ‘Diamond’ rating from the Airline Passengers Experience Association (APEX) and SimpliFlying, a standard received for the extra safety measures and comprehensive hygiene precautions adhered to since the onset of the global pandemic. SriLankan Airlines is an award-winning airline with a firm reputation as a global leader in service, comfort, safety, reliability, and punctuality.
Passengers intending to travel with SriLankan Airlines could book their tickets from the Airline’s ticket offices in Colombo, Galle, and Kandy or through their preferred travel agent. For more information kindly contact SriLankan Airlines Global Contact Centre on +94117771979 or visit www.srilankan.com.
​Emirates celebrates 35 years of service to Colombo
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Since its first flight in 1986, the airline has carried more than 8 m passengers to and from SL, operating over 49,000 roundtrip flights
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Sri Lankan customers can currently connect to more than 90 destinations within the airline’s network, via Dubai
Emirates is celebrating 35 years of connecting Sri Lanka to the world. Since its first flight in 1986, the airline has carried more than eight million passengers to and from Colombo – operating more than 49,000 roundtrip flights.
Emirates currently serves the country with six weekly flights, connecting customers to more than 90 destinations within its network, via Dubai.
Emirates launched its operations to Colombo on 1 April 1986, utilising a Boeing 777-200LR. In 1997, due to increased passenger demand, the airline upgraded its operations and introduced its wide-body Boeing 777-300ER aircraft in a three-class configuration. Today, Emirates is the only international airline to serve Colombo with First Class services – offering passengers superior services and comfort in air and on-ground.
Emirates SkyCargo, the airline’s freight division, continues to play a crucial role in maintaining vital trade links and driving economic activity – helping local businesses connect to more than 130 cargo destinations worldwide.
Over the past 10 years, Emirates SkyCargo has carried more than 275,000 tonnes to and from the country including the main commodities of seafood, fruits, vegetables, pharmaceuticals, consumer electronic goods, and medical equipment.
More than 140,500 Sri Lankan nationals and residents are enrolled in Emirates Skywards, the award-winning loyalty program of Emirates and flydubai – allowing members to redeem exclusive benefits and rewards including flights with partner airlines, hotel stays, retail outlets and lifestyle experiences supported by the airline.
The loyalty program was one of the first in the world to offer its members an extension on tier status until 2022 – providing members more flexibility, choice and reassurance throughout the pandemic.
Emirates is one of the world’s largest international airlines with a global footprint across six continents. Sri Lankan customers can fly safer and better on Emirates as the airline has implemented a comprehensive set of measures at every step of the customer journey, introduced free multi-risk travel insurance and revised its booking policies to offer greater flexibility and generous re-booking terms.
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SriLankan victorious at Quiz Master 2021 -Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport
SriLankan Airlines Quiz Team were crowned winners at The Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport Sri Lanka’s CILT Next Generation Quiz Master 2021, held on March 14th. The team had previously won the CILT Quiz Master in 2018.
The SriLankan Airlines team emerged winners beating 47 top corporate and university teams from the country after an exhilarating battle of knowledge and wisdom. The quiz comprised of questions related to the transportation and logistics industry. CILT Next Generation Quiz Master is one of Sri Lanka’s top quizzing events of the year and is the only competition specialising in transport and logistics. The event organized by CILT Next Generation was being held for the sixth time, having had a hiatus in 2020 due to the Coronavirus pandemic.
The SriLankan Airlines team was led by Vidya Siriwardena (Pricing & Revenue Management), other team members were Amila Karunarathne (SriLankan Aviation College), Miyuru Sandaruwan (Corporate Offices), Ruwan Bandara (SriLankan Aviation College) and Shan Amarasekara (Aircraft Engineering).
The SriLankan Airlines quiz team has been crowned winners in many quiz tournaments including Biz Quiz 2020 - Sri Lanka’s premier corporate quiz competition - held recently.
SriLankan Airlines bags Four-Star Major Official Airline rating from APEX.
December 11, 2020, Colombo: SriLankan Airlines was awarded “Four Star rating for Major Official Airline” for 2021 by The Airline Passenger Experience Association (APEX), at the Future Travel Experience (FTE) Virtual Expo Award ceremony that was held on the 09th of December 2020.
The Airline Passenger Experience Association (APEX), is one of the world’s largest international airline associations. In conjunction with both the International Flight Services Association (IFSA) and Future Travel Experience (FTE), APEX serves the full spectrum of the end-to-end travel experience.
Ashok Pathirage, SriLankan Airlines’ chairman added: “The greatest reward and testament to our service and success is the loyalty and feedback of our customers, to be rated as a 2021 four star Major Official Airline, founded on passenger feedback alone is an immense tribute and honour to SriLankan Airlines, both at a global and regional level. It’s a true compliment to the people who work in our airline at every level.”
APEX announced the recipients of the industry’s most anticipated honour: the APEX Official Airline Ratings™ - The Airline Industry’s first rating program based solely on verified & certified neutral third-party passenger feedback that assesses the overall flight experience on a number of aspects including seat comfort, cabin service, food and beverage, entertainment and Wi-Fi.
The industry’s most anticipated honour receives airline customer feedback and insights gathered through APEX’s partnership with TripIt® from Concur®, the world’s highest-rated travel-organizing app.
Commenting on the Airline's latest accolade, Vipula Gunatilleka, CEO of SriLankan Airlines said, “This Four-Star ranking reaffirms SriLankan Airlines’ position as a global leader, and we are honoured to be recognized for the fifth consecutive year. This award is a testament to the dedication of our employees who work hard to ensure that SriLankan Airlines sets world-class standards in service excellence.”
SriLankan Airlines, the national carrier of Sri Lanka and a member of the Oneworld alliance, is an award-winning airline with a firm reputation as a global leader in service, comfort, safety, reliability, and punctuality. Other recent wins of the Airline include PATA Gold Award 2020, World’s Leading Airline to the Indian Ocean title for the fourth consecutive time and Asia’s Leading Airline to the Indian Ocean title for the third consecutive time at World Travel Awards 2019, PATA Gold Awards 2019- Marketing Carrier, and Best Marketing Innovation at APEX Awards 2019.
Complete Care for Your Complete Peace of Mind
Cathay Pacific is providing free COVID-19 insurance to all passengers so they can travel knowing they’re covered
Cathay Pacific is helping customers travel with confidence by collaborating with AXA General Insurance Hong Kong Limited to provide free COVID-19 coverage to all passengers whenever they fly with us.
Customers who fly with Cathay Pacific from today to 28 February 2021 will be covered for medical expenses related to a COVID-19 diagnosis incurred whilst overseas. Our free COVID-19 insurance is automatically applied – all customers have to do is book their flight.
Coverage includes:
Medical and hospitalization
We will cover customers’ COVID-19 PCR tests and hospitalisation if it becomes necessary. Coverage for medical expenses related to COVID-19 extends to up to US$200,000.
Quarantine costs
Customers will receive an allowance of US$100 per day per passenger for up to 14 days due to COVID-19 to help them during periods of unforeseen and mandatory quarantine.
Evacuation and repatriation
Cathay Pacific will ensure that affected customers, as well as their travel companions and any children they may be travelling with, get home.
24/7 emergency hotline
We are here to provide assistance, no matter the time. Customers can call AXA’s 24/7 Emergency Assistance hotline on +852 2863 5785, or send a WhatsApp message to +852 2863 5784.
Customers are covered for a period of 30 days starting from the date of their departure, or until they return to their home, whichever is earliest.
Safety is always our number one priority. To ensure our customers take off with peace of mind, we introduced Cathay Care, our enhanced measures across every stage of the journey from check-in to the cabin. These measures include:
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Temperature checks
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Contactless check-in and boarding
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Antimicrobial coating on check-in counters, kiosks and other common areas
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Mandatory wearing of face coverings by passengers and crew throughout the flight
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Enhanced cleaning and sanitisation of all surfaces
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HEPA air filters that remove 99.999% of airborne contaminants
For more details about Cathay Pacific's free COVID-19 insurance, please visit https://www.cathaypacific.com/cx/en_HK/flying-with-us/cathaycare/free-covid-19-insurance.html
For more information about Cathay Care, visit https://www.cathaypacific.com/cx/en_HK/flying-with-us/cathaycare.html
Cathay Pacific Welcomes Policy Address Measures
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To Boost Long-Term Competitiveness of The Hong Kong Aviation Hub
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Cathay Pacific welcomes the Hong Kong SAR Government’s commitment to strengthening Hong Kong’s long-term competitiveness as a leading global aviation hub and international logistics centre, as outlined in the 2020 Policy Address given today by the Chief Executive of the Hong Kong SAR Government, Carrie Lam. Cathay Pacific Chief Executive Officer Augustus Tang said: “We are grateful to the Hong Kong, Guangdong and Central governments for their commitment to the continued development of the Hong Kong aviation hub. We share their confidence that Hong Kong will continue to prosper as the city has an unrivalled position as part of the Greater Bay Area (GBA), a region that presents a wonderful opportunity for Hong Kong, and will be the growth engine for the world economy over the coming decades.
“We welcome the deepening cooperation between Hong Kong International Airport (HKIA) and Zhuhai Airport to establish a globally competitive world-class airport cluster, leveraging their complementary strengths. We also look forward to the commissioning of the entire Three-Runway System in 2024, and the completion of the premium logistics centre and the SKYCITY development projects. “We are greatly encouraged by the focus placed on enhancing the overall
transportation network and capacity, connecting HKIA and the various transport links and infrastructure of the airport island. We also welcome measures that
greatly facilitate ‘land-to-air’ transit travel for passengers from the GBA to fly via HKIA. “For more than 70 years, Cathay Pacific has been privileged to be the home carrier of Hong Kong. We are proud to have played a significant role in the development of our home city into a leading international aviation hub and our commitment remains.”
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Cathay Pacific Celebrates the Success of Environmental and Social Initiatives - 2019 Sustainable Development Report
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Major milestones included a new single-use plastics reduction target and the launch of our Cathay Change Makers community Programme.​
The Cathay Pacific Group recently released its 2019 Sustainable Development Report, providing a comprehensive overview that outlines the various sustainability measures undertaken by the Cathay Pacific and its subsidiaries’, including its approach and performance in areas of environmental, social and governance.
The report includes a message from Cathay Pacific Chief Executive Officer Augustus Tang who said: “At the time of preparing this report, a public health emergency has rocked the global economy. It feels more important than ever to foster positivity, to protect our people, to strengthen our communities and to confront the major challenges we face. We are very determined to play our part in this hugely important undertaking; one which requires us to be financially successful but in a socially and environmentally responsible manner. Our commitment to developing sustainably with transparency and accountability is undiminished.”
Among the key highlights of the report is the group’s approach to climate change, removing single use plastic and continued efforts in supporting the community. In addition the report also focuses on the efficient use of resources, waste management and sets out the Group’s efforts in moving towards greener aviation.
Notable highlights in brief include:
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New single-use plastic reduction target: Cathay Pacific targets the reduction of its single-use plastic footprint by 50% by the end of 2022, removing nearly 200 million pieces of single-use plastic from operations annually.
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Fighting climate change: The Group has introduced new efficiency initiatives, adding six new, more fuel-efficient Airbus A350s to its fleet and scaled up climate change risk and mitigation planning. Since 1998, these efforts have yielded a 27% cumulative improvement in fuel efficiency.
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Caring for the community: Continued efforts to support the positive development of communities through its new Cathay ChangeMakers initiative and the longstanding I Can Fly programme.
Cathay Pacific also offers its customers and corporates to be a part of the Fly Greene programme, the airline’s voluntary carbon offset initiative which enables them to balance out their carbon footprint from air travel in a credible and simple way. All contributions are channeled to independently review and accredit projects that indeed reduce CO2 emissions. The programme has offset over 200,000 tonnes of CO2 since 2007 and in 2019, it has offset 33,922 tonnes of CO2.
The report also sheds light on its progress to provide a safe and healthy environment for employees, and all customers and also demonstrates how the company strives to be an employer of choice.
The full Sustainability Development Report 2019 is available for download on the Cathay Pacific website.
Cathay Pacific requires all passengers to wear face coverings while travelling
In response to COVID-19, Cathay Pacific has implemented a number of measures to safeguard the wellbeing of its passengers and crew. The airline has introduced face coverings for additional protection onboard and in situations where passengers cannot maintain physical distance of two meters from others, or as directed by airline employees.
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Effective immediately, all passengers will be required to wear face coverings throughout their travel journey, including when passengers are checking-in, boarding and disembarking, as well as when they are at Cathay Pacific lounges. The airline also recommends passengers to wear the face coverings in high-traffic areas such as security lines and at baggage collection areas.
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However, passengers who are unable to tolerate a face covering including children under six years old, are exempt from this requirement.
This requirement will remain mandatory until further notice. Passengers are requested to bring their own face coverings while travelling.
For more information, please visit the Travel Advisory section on www.cathaypacific.com
The Cathay Pacific Group Plans Fleet Optimization
The move will maximize the efficiency and synergy of the Group’s airlines, ensuring stronger growth potential and greater connectivity through its home hub
The Cathay Pacific Group will optimize the passenger fleet of its airlines – Cathay Pacific, Cathay Dragon and HK Express – in order to allow each airline to achieve their full development potential by leveraging their respective unique strengths.
The move is also designed to maximize each airline’s operational efficiency and synergy. This will be good for not only the Group and its airlines, but also the travelling public and our home hub, with better connections through Hong Kong that will strengthen its position as Asia’s leading international aviation hub.
In total, the Group has existing orders for 65 new aircraft that it will receive by 2024, as part of the fleet modernization plan. This includes the delivery of 21state-of-the-art Boeing 777-9 aircraft, 12 modern Airbus A350 and 32 A321neo aircraft between 2020 and 2024.
Following a comprehensive review of its airlines’ fleets, the Group has decided that Cathay Dragon will operate the first 16 of these narrow-body A321neo aircraft upon delivery from 2020 to 2022. The remaining 16 aircraft, meanwhile, will join the HK Express fleet from 2022.
Cathay Pacific Group Chief Executive Officer Augustus Tang said: “We have four airlines in the group, each of them has its clear proposition. Cathay Pacific will continue to operate as an international full-service airline providing premium services to customers while Cathay Dragon is our regional full-service carrier. Meanwhile, HK Express will remain as a standalone, low-cost airline focusing on serving leisure travel destinations. AHK Air Hong Kong will continue to be the Group’s all-cargo carrier specializing in express cargo services.
“We will continue to invest in each of our airlines, their products and services. New aircraft are always the best platform to showcase our customer experience offerings which we are continuously enhancing in the spirit of our progressive and thoughtful ‘Move Beyond’ brand values. Our goal is always to move people forward in life through our ability to connect them to meaningful people, places and experiences through our Hong Kong hub.”
Cathay four-times more inflight entertainment
The Cathay Pacific Group is giving customers more of what they love with four-times the entertainment available to discover and enjoy every time they fly.
This significantly enriched inflight entertainment offering epitomizes Cathay Pacific’s efforts to enhance the customer experience as it continues to fulfil its ‘Move Beyond’ brand promises.
Passengers can look forward to more newly released blockbuster movies, more live sports coverage and more complete boxsets than ever before. Newly available live coverage of the latest sports events will ensure passengers never miss any of the breath-taking moments from their favourite games when they fly with the airline.
With all this new video content to enjoy, customers could fly non-stop around the world 45 times and never have to watch the same thing twice, making every flight a truly unique experience.
“We recognize that our role as an airline extends beyond solely flying our passengers to their destination. It’s about creating an experience, one that will allow them to savour every memorable moment of the journey,”said, South Asia, Middle East and South Africa – Regional General Manager,Mark Sutch. “By offering an extensive range of inflight entertainment, our passengers now have more choices than ever before to catch up on their favourite binge-worthy series, get lost in a blockbuster cinematic universe or even enjoy some exhilarating live Rugby World Cup action on our Cathay Pacific flights. ”
LOT Polish airlines launches direct flights
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By Chanaka de Silva
LOT Polish airlines launched its’ first ever flight to Sri Lanka at a recently held press meet. LOT Polish Airlines will fly thrice weekly, enabling to Passengers to reach their destination in 9 hours.
A delegation of holiday-makers, journalists, and a top-tier trade officials from Poland and across the EU were with this initial flight. Among the delegation was Poland’s Minister of Interior, Maciej Lang, Polish Ambassador to Sri Lanka, HE Adam Burakowski, LOT Polish Airlines Chief Commercial Officer, MichaÅ‚ FijoÅ‚, and company spokesperson, MichaÅ‚ Czernicki, as well as Poland’s next Miss Universe and LOT Polish Airlines flight attendant, Olga BuÅ‚awa.
“All of us at LOT Polish Airlines are excited to join our local partners in celebrating the touchdown of our very first direct flight to Colombo. Given Sri Lanka’s rising prominence as a must-visit destination in Asia, we are confident the improved connectivity enabled by LOT’s 3 weekly flights will help increase tourist arrivals, whilst providing globetrotting Sri Lankans with a convenient and comfortable option for travelling to Poland, Central Europe or any other destinations we fly to,” said, LOT Polish Airlines Chief Commercial Officer, MichaÅ‚ FijoÅ‚ ..
LOT Polish working in partnership Hayleys PLC, commenced its three flights weekly service from Warsaw to Colombo. This is in time for the start of the peak winter tourist season and will continue till the end of March 2020.
“Hayleys is proud to give a warm Sri Lankan welcome to our very first group of travellers to fly on LOT Polish Airlines directly to Colombo. We thank each our honoured guests for choosing to visit and explore our beautiful paradise island, and we hope that you are able to return home having experienced true Sri Lankan hospitality. On behalf of the entire tourism industry, we also extend our sincere gratitude to LOT Polish Airlines for their support in further enhancing Sri Lanka’s connectivity to Poland and Central Europe, which we are confident will be of immense benefit to the entire tourism and hospitality sector,” Hayleys Chairman and Chief Executive, Mohan Pandithage said.
The new connection will be operated using the most modern wide-bodied aircraft in the world – the Boeing 787 Dreamliner. Each aircraft offers passengers the choice between three service classes: LOT Business Class with armchairs unfolding to form a flatbed position and offering cuisine as good as the best restaurants; LOT Premium Economy Class features large comfortable seats, foot and thigh rests, cocktail tables and a rich menu, as well as LOT Economy Class which includes individual on-board entertainment screens and USB sockets as well as fresh and varied meals served during the voyage.
Annually, more than 1.8 million passengers travel between Europe and Colombo, while LOT hosted over 9 million passengers on its modern aircraft in 2018 alone and anticipates taking on board 10 million passengers in 2019, providing them with the most efficient and comfortable journeys from Warsaw to over 111 scheduled destinations on three continents worldwide.
LET’S MOVE BEYOND
Cathay Pacific embarks on a journey to become one of the world’s greatest service brands
Cathay Pacific celebrates today the start of a new journey with the purpose of moving people forward in life, through the airline’s ability to connect them to meaningful people, places and experiences.
Cathay Pacific Chief Executive Officer Rupert Hogg said: “Over the last seven decades we have grown to become one of the world’s leading airlines, and our goal now is to continue to move forward by becoming one of the world’s greatest service brands.”
MOVE BEYOND IS A CALL TO ACTION
“Move Beyond is our call to action,” said Rupert. “For us, it is to have an ambitious leadership mindset. We choose to lead and blaze a trail of progress. It represents our continued commitment to delivering personal service that moves people emotionally. To never stand still.”
The airline’s brand reflects its determination to challenge what is considered ‘standard’ or ‘expected’; to move beyond and be the very best it can be. Living up to this aspiration will enable Cathay Pacific to reach levels of service and customer experience that place it amongst the world’s greatest service brands.
OUR VALUES - THOUGHTFUL, PROGRESSIVE AND CAN-DO SPIRIT
Thoughtful, progressive and can-do spirit are the three core values that matter most to Cathay Pacific as we provide our customers with a superior experience at every stage of their journey.
• Thoughtful – to respect and care for everyone, wherever they’re from and wherever they’re going to, treating them as the airline’s people would wish to be treated themselves. Cathay Pacific goes to great lengths to understand and help them on their way in life.
• Progressive – inspired by the airline’s dynamic home of Hong Kong and the Asia-Pacific region, Cathay Pacific brings modern, forward-thinking attitudes and ideas to its customers, in a simple way. The use of technology makes customers’ journeys easy and enjoyable.
• Can-Do Spirit – inspiring confidence and trust among its customers with positivity and determination.
CATHAY PACIFIC IS MOVING BEYOND FOR CUSTOMERS
Cathay Pacific is moving beyond for our customers by bringing personal recognition and a sense of care and reliability to the whole travel experience.
To that end, we have introduced new seats, installed Wi-Fi across the majority of our long-haul fleet of aircraft, enhanced food and beverage offerings in all classes, and upgraded our digital platform to give customers more control of their journey – with the promise of more to come in the months ahead.
In addition to having one of the youngest fleets in the world, ongoing network growth, digital enhancements and the re-opening of a stylish Cathay Pacific signature lounge in Shanghai Pudong, the airline will be introducing a wealth of new inflight entertainment content in the next few months, giving the Cathay group the greatest range and volume of movies, TV and audio programmes of any Asian airline.
This will be followed by the launch of a new Business Class experience later in the year, complementing the modernised dining proposition introduced on all our long-haul flights.
Backed by popular demand, customers can also look forward to the return of Betsy Beer, the craft ale that has been specially brewed to be enjoyed at 35,000 feet.
THE SPIRIT OF PROGRESS
The Cathay Pacific story has always been one of innovation and ambition. Throughout our history, we have pushed boundaries of long-haul travel, being the first to enter new markets and directly linking Hong Kong with key destinations worldwide.
Recent times have also seen an unprecedented rate of expansion, with the Cathay Pacific group launching 12 new routes since 2018, in tandem with the arrival of new, technologically-advanced Airbus A350 aircraft and a range of customer centric enhancements.
“It does not matter how far we have come, what matters is how far we will go,” said Rupert.
It is exactly this spirit of progress that is shared by Cathay Pacific’s people, our customers, our home and the people of Hong Kong.
This is Move Beyond.
Media enquiry
+852 2747 5393 press@cathaypacific.com www.cathaypacific.com
FitsAir launches charter and scheduled flights
Revolutionary Sri Lankan aviation carrier, FitsAir has announced the introduction of scheduled flights from Colombo to Batticaloa, thereby further expanding its domestic operations within the island.
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A reputed pioneer in Sri Lankan Aviation since its inception in 1997, FitsAir offers premium passenger services in scheduled and chartered flight configurations within Sri Lanka. The air carrier caters primarily to the business traveler, as well as tourists and leisure itinerants looking to travel comfortably within the country. Additionally, the airline also operates international cargo flights to a number of cities across the Middle East, Africa, and Asia.
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FitsAir’s newly introduced scheduled flights from Colombo to Batticaloa, will operate every Monday and Saturday, with dual journeys scheduled for each day. Moreover, FitsAir’s dynamic chartered flights proffer convenient schedules that run networks from Colombo to various destinations within Sri Lanka; including to prominent cities like Anuradhapura, Sigiriya, Jaffna, Trincomalee, Koggala, and Katukurunda in addition to comparatively lesser-known cities such as Mattala, Weerawila, Ampara, Vavuniya, and Hingurakgoda.
Formerly known as ExpoAir, FitsAir was the first and sole privately operated airline to be licensed for International Cargo Operations by Civil Aviation Authority Sri Lanka (CAASL) in the country and also obtained ‘Designated Cargo Carrier’ status from CAASL, enabling the airline to secure traffic rights into Indian and Chinese airports effortlessly. Similarly, it was also the first air carrier to be certified under the International Civil Aviation (ICAO) annex requirements, and also the first domestic airline to be certified by the Department of Civil Aviation to recommence flights to Jaffna in 2002.
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In a ground-breaking feat, FitsAir was the first private airline to have been granted approval to hold its own ground-handling operations at the Bandaranaike International Airport. FitsAir also holds membership with the International Air Transport Association (IATA); a global organization that represents major carriers from 117 countries that support aviation with global standards.
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Enjoying an unblemished safety record, FitsAir conducts routine mandatory safety inspections on all aircraft which are frequently audited by the Civil Aviation Authority Sri Lanka (CAASL) and act in accordance with all regulatory requirements. FitsAir’s flight crew, maintenance team, and ground staff are highly qualified and well-trained to deliver a seamless and reliable passenger experience for all its commuters.
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In keeping with the FITS slogan - ‘Friend In The Sky’ - the airline is committed to guaranteeing comfort and quality services to all passengers for best-valued rates, whilst concurrently complying with the stringent safety standards that uphold the airline’s unwavering reliability of 15 years.
There’s no taste like home
Cathay Pacific draws on its roots by rolling out new ‘Hong Kong Flavours’ dining series across all cabin classes
Wok-fried lobster in broth with crispy and steamed rice, fish ball and fish cake flat rice noodle soup and soy-braised chicken with Chinese sausage on steamed jasmine rice are among a series of authentic Cantonese dishes that Cathay Pacific customers are now enjoying inflight as part of the airline’s new ‘Hong Kong Flavours’ dining concept.
Launched to celebrate the diversity and vibrancy of the city’s rich gastronomic traditions, Hong Kong Flavours features a variety of signature local specialities available across all cabin classes on long-haul routes from Cathay Pacific’s home hub.
Cathay Pacific Regional General Manager – South Asia, Middle East, and Africa, Mark Sutch said: “We are delighted to introduce our new Hong Kong Flavours dining concept. Hong Kong is popular for its gastronomical delights – whether it is street food or Michelin star restaurants. This new menu has been specially crafted and inspired by the local Chinese flavours. It gives our passengers an opportunity to experience Hong Kong cuisine without actually stepping out of the aircraft.”
Menu highlights in First Class include braised abalone with flower shiitake and choy sum-layered bean curd, while Business Class passengers can look forward to dishes such as roasted duck with lai fun rice noodles in soup and Hong Kong-style milk tea pudding with tapioca pearls.
Passengers in Premium Economy Class have the option of tasting, among other options, steamed halibut with Tai O preserved mustard greens and steamed jasmine rice as well as yin yang fried rice. Meanwhile, dishes served in Economy Class include Hong Kong-style seafood curry rice.
Enhancements have also been made to Cathay Pacific’s inflight beverage programme. The airline has partnered with renowned local tea purveyor Fook Ming Tong to present a premium range of Chinese teas, including jasmine, oolong and pu’er, to be rolled out progressively in Economy Class.
To celebrate the Year of the Pig, Cathay Pacific will be serving a selection of auspicious dishes over the Chinese New Year period and throughout the rest of February. These special festive offerings include braised garoupa with bean curd and shiitake mushrooms and E fu noodle soup with crab meat sauce.
Hong Kong Flavours is Cathay Pacific’s newest inflight dining concept and follows on from the summer launch of the airline’s well-received restaurant-style Business Class service, which is being introduced on all long-haul flights.
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There’s no taste like home
Cathay Pacific draws on its roots by rolling out new ‘Hong Kong Flavours’ dining series across all cabin classes
Wok-fried lobster in broth with crispy and steamed rice, fish ball and fish cake flat rice noodle soup and soy-braised chicken with Chinese sausage on steamed jasmine rice are among a series of authentic Cantonese dishes that Cathay Pacific customers are now enjoying inflight as part of the airline’s new ‘Hong Kong Flavours’ dining concept.
Launched to celebrate the diversity and vibrancy of the city’s rich gastronomic traditions, Hong Kong Flavours features a variety of signature local specialties available across all cabin classes on long-haul routes from Cathay Pacific’s home hub.
Cathay Pacific Regional General Manager – South Asia, Middle East, and Africa, Mark Sutch said: “We are delighted to introduce our new Hong Kong Flavours dining concept. Hong Kong is popular for its gastronomical delights – whether it is street food or Michelin star restaurants. This new menu has been specially crafted and inspired by the local Chinese flavours. It gives our passengers an opportunity to experience Hong Kong cuisine without actually stepping out of the aircraft.”
Menu highlights in First Class include braised abalone with flower shiitake and choy sum-layered bean curd, while Business Class passengers can look forward to dishes such as roasted duck with lai fun rice noodles in soup and Hong Kong-style milk tea pudding with tapioca pearls.
Passengers in Premium Economy Class have the option of tasting, among other options, steamed halibut with Tai O preserved mustard greens and steamed jasmine rice as well as yin yang fried rice. Meanwhile, dishes served in Economy Class include Hong Kong-style seafood curry rice.
Enhancements have also been made to Cathay Pacific’s inflight beverage programme. The airline has partnered with renowned local tea purveyor Fook Ming Tong to present a premium range of Chinese teas, including jasmine, oolong and pu’er, to be rolled out progressively in Economy Class.
To celebrate the Year of the Pig, Cathay Pacific will be serving a selection of auspicious dishes over the Chinese New Year period and throughout the rest of February. These special festive offerings include braised garoupa with bean curd and shiitake mushrooms and E fu noodle soup with crab meat sauce.
Hong Kong Flavours is Cathay Pacific’s newest inflight dining concept and follows on from the summer launch of the airline’s well-received restaurant-style Business Class service, which is being introduced on all long-haul flights.
Cathay opens 'The Sanctuary' by Pure Yoga
A visit to Cathay Pacific’s Business Class lounge at The Pier in Hong Kong has just become even more beneficial for mind, body and soul following the opening of The Sanctuary by PuMark Sutch, Regional General Manager – South Asia, Middle East, ad Africa for Cathay Pacific said, “At Cathay Pacific, it has been our continuous endeavor to introduce our customers to unique amenities combined with comfort, relaxation, and wellness. A long journey can be exhaustive and affect one’s physical and mental health. The sanctuary provides the required environment, equipment, and facilities for Cathay Pacific travelers to indulge in a relaxing experience combined with health benefits, just before or in between their flights. Last year, we introduced ‘Travel well with Yoga’ – an inflight video series and now our customers in the lounge can also avail this benefit.”
The Body Sanctuary
Among the wellness offerings, The Body Sanctuary provides travelers with space for gentle yoga with guided videos led by Pure Yoga teachers. There’s also a secluded space for self-practice. Seated stretching is an alternative option; chairs overlook instructions on how to stretch different parts of the body whilst seated. The exercises are designed to improve circulation, enhance joint mobility and relax the mind for a comfortable and restful journey.
The Mind Sanctuary
Within The Mind Sanctuary, there are two types of meditation on offer. The first is audio meditation: four cushioned pods are equipped with noise-canceling headphones and iPads, and customers can listen to guided meditation sessions narrated by Pure Yoga’s expert teachers. The second is gazing meditation: comfortable cushions overlook graphics placed on the wall ahead and facilitate Trataka yoga practice.
These practices help to improve focus, memory and visualization skills, as well as centering the mind in a state of awareness and attention.
Wellness on the ground and in the air
The Sanctuary by Pure Yoga is the latest collaboration between Cathay Pacific and the Hong Kong-headquartered Pure Group following the January 2018 launch of ‘Travel Well with Yoga’, a series of inflight videos to help passengers ease into their journeys with meditation and yoga.
Additionally, Diamond and Gold Marco Polo Club members arriving in Hong Kong on Cathay Pacific or Cathay Dragon flights are given complimentary one-day access to any Pure Fitness center or a choice of any Pure Yoga class up to 12 times a year.
Pure Group Regional Marketing Director Gary Wise said: “We’re delighted to extend this fantastic partnership between Pure Yoga and Cathay Pacific, giving people even more chance to feel the benefits of yoga and meditation on their travels. No matter how rushed the trip is, just a few minutes of calm can make all the difference.”
The Sanctuary by Pure Yoga is open to travelers who have access to Cathay Pacific The Pier Business Class Lounge at Hong Kong Airport, as well as Diamond, Gold and Silver Marco Polo Club members. Cathay Pacific and Cathay Dragon First and Business Class passengers will also be able to enjoy the new offering.
Designed in partnership with The Pure Group, The Sanctuary by Pure Yoga is a 700 square-foot area divided into two zones – The Body Sanctuary, which is
The Sanctuary by Pure Yoga is open to travelers who have access to Cathay Pacific The Pier Business Class Lounge at Hong Kong Airport, as well as Diamond, Gold and Silver Marco Polo Club members. Cathay Pacific and Cathay Dragon First and Business Class passengers will also be able to enjoy the new offering.
Gulf Air launches bahrain tourist visa service
Manama, Kingdom of Bahrain – 05 December 2017: Gulf Air, the Kingdom of Bahrain’s national carrier, has today in partnership with VFS Global, the world’s largest visa service provider, launched a Bahrain Tourist Visa Service available via visa.gulfair.com exclusively for the airline’s passengers flying across its global network to Bahrain.
Travellers with return Gulf Air tickets can now conveniently apply for a visa to the Kingdom of Bahrain online via visa.gulfair.com or by visiting their local Gulf Air sales office with the necessary documents no more than 30 days prior to travel to fill in the relevant forms and submit their application. The visa service takes a minimum of four working days to process and is done in coordination with the relevant ministries and government entities.
Gulf Air Deputy Chief Executive Officer, Captain Waleed Abdul Hameed Al Alawi, said: “Promoting the Kingdom of Bahrain as a many faceted tourist destination is key to Gulf Air’s longstanding mission. We are delighted to, in partnership with VFS Global, launch the Bahrain Tourist Visa Service - making the process of obtaining a visa to enter Bahrain easier and more convenient. We anticipate positive feedback from our customers, for whom this service is tailored, and we look forward to welcoming more people from around the world to Bahrain to experience all that the Kingdom has to offer.”
Mr. Vinay Malhotra, COO – Middle East & South Asia, VFS Global, added: “We are delighted to partner with Gulf Air and the Government of Bahrain to develop a convenient, next-generation visa service for Gulf Air passengers visiting Bahrain. The dedicated online platform not only makes applying for a visa to Bahrain quicker and more convenient than ever before, but also provides passengers with 24x7 accessibility and online tracking of their visas, amongst other advantages.”
Further information on Gulf Air’s Bahrain Tourist Visa Service can be found by visiting visa.gulfair.com, calling any local Gulf Air sales office or emailing query@bahrainvisaservice.com. Travellers wishing to book package holidays within Gulf Air’s extensive network of destinations can visit holidays.gulfair.com to purchase any/all of: airfares, hotel accommodation, guided tours and excursions while the airline’s own add-on travel enhancement items such as advance excess baggage purchasing, lounge access and prepaid seat selection are available on gulfair.com. Gulf Air tickets can be purchased via the airline’s official website gulfair.com, its 24-hour Worldwide Contact Centre on (+973) 17373737 in Bahrain, or any Gulf Air sales offices and approved travel agencies.
