SriLankan Airlines will become the first carrier from the Indian subcontinent to enter a global airline alliance when it officially joins Oneworld on May 1.
Sri Lanka’s flag carrier received clearance to join Oneworld after successfully completing a readiness review conducted by Cathay Pacific Airways.
SriLankan Airlines chairman, Nishantha Wickremasinghe, said: “With the world airline industry increasingly focused on alliances, joining Oneworld will be a significant development for SriLankan Airlines. Joining the alliance will help put SriLankan more firmly on the global aviation map and vastly improve Sri Lanka’s connections with the rest of the world.”
SriLankan Airlines’ entry to the alliance will follow the introduction of TAM Airlines and US Airways on March 31, thereby concluding Oneworld’s biggest expansion programme to date. The Colombo-based carrier will bring two new destinations to Oneworld’s network– Hambantota in Sri Lanka, and India’s Tiruchirapalli.
From May 1, all 100,000 members of SriLankan’s FlysmiLes loyalty programme will have their frequent flyer privileges extended to all Oneworld member airlines.
Likewise, the 150 million members of Oneworld airlines’ frequent flyer programmes will be able to earn and redeem rewards and tier points when flying on SriLankan Airlines.
Platinum cardholders of FlySmiLes will gain Oneworld Emerald status, while FlySmiLes Gold will be equivalent to Oneworld Sapphire, and FlySmiLes Classic to Oneworld Ruby.
FlySmiLes Platinum and Gold members will be able enjoy access to 600 plus lounges offered by Oneworld members when travelling with the alliance’s carriers. Business class passengers will be able to do so as well.
For more information, visit www.srilankan.com and www.oneworld.com
Clement Huang
