SriLankan Airlines Joins oneworld

SriLankan Airlines has joined the global airline alliance, oneworld. SriLankan is the first carrier from the Indian subcontinent to join the alliance - and completes oneworld's biggest expansion programme since the alliance was launched 15 years ago.

The airline's addition to oneworld will bring two new destinations on to the alliance network - Hambantota itself plus India's Tiruchirapalli - along with its Colombo base as a new oneworld hub.

With an extensive schedule serving southern India and as one of the leading international airlines serving the Maldives, SriLankan also significantly strengthens oneworld's presence throughout South Asia, one of the world's fastest growing regions for air travel demand.

With SriLankan, oneworld:

- Serves almost 1,000 airports in 150 countries, with 14,250 daily departures.

- Carries more than 500 million passengers a year on a combined fleet of some 3,300 aircraft.

- Generates US$ 140 billion annual revenues.

- Offers more than 600 airport lounges, including many frequently rated the as the world's best.

The 300,000 members of SriLankan's FlySmiLes loyalty programme have had their frequent flyer privileges extended to whenever they fly on oneworld member airlines - including earning rewards and tier status points plus the ability to redeem rewards for flights throughout the alliance network.

Also, the 180 million members of the established oneworld airlines' frequent flyer programmes will be able to earn rewards and tier status points and receive all other oneworld benefits when flying on SriLankan and redeem awards on the airline's network.

As part of oneworld, SriLankan will be able to offer all of its customers seamless connections across a global network serving almost 1,000 destinations in more than 150 countries, with first rate connections between the world's leading business centres.

SriLankan is already participating in Global Explorer, the round-the-world fare offered by all oneworld members and various airlines that are not part of the alliance. Its network now also covers oneworld's full range of alliance fares, including the oneworld Explorer round-the-world fare. This range of alliance fares has been further extended with the addition of a new Visit South Asian Sub-Continent pass, marking SriLankan's addition to oneworld.

To celebrate SriLankan's addition to oneworld, all FlySmiLes cardholders will receive double their usual FlySmiLes miles when flying on most oneworld partners between 15 May 2014 and 30 June. Members of most established member airlines' loyalty programmes will receive double the normal mileage awards/points when flying on SriLankan during the same period.

oneworld Governing Board CEO Bruce Ashby said, "The addition of SriLankan Airlines concludes what has been the biggest and fastest growth programme by any global airline alliance, enabling oneworld to consolidate its position as the first choice global alliance for frequent international travelers the world over. In SriLankan, we are delighted to be adding another high quality, fast expanding carrier to the world's fastest growing and most highly rated global airline alliance."

SriLankan Airlines' Chairman Nishantha Wickremasinghe added, "With the world airline industry increasingly focused on alliances, joining oneworld is one of the most significant developments to date for SriLankan Airlines. Joining the alliance will help put SriLankan more firmly on the global aviation map and vastly improve Sri Lanka's connectivity with the rest of the world, which is vital for our country's trade and tourism."