SriLankan Airlines has further strengthened its standing in South Asia’s aviation and tourism sector after securing the Visitors’ Choice Award for Leading International Airline at the South Asian Travel Awards (SATA) 2026. Having earned the distinction on previous occasions, the national carrier once again received recognition for its presence in the regional travel industry. Notably, SriLankan Airlines was the sole international airline to receive this particular honour during the 2026 awards. The presentation formed part of SATA’s milestone 10th anniversary celebrations, hosted earlier this month at Hotel Barcelo Nasandhura in Malé, Maldives.
Marking a decade of recognising achievements across South Asia’s travel and hospitality sectors, the 2026 edition of SATA attracted an influential gathering of tourism and aviation professionals. The anniversary ceremony brought together government ministers, senior officials, diplomatic representatives and executives from major airlines, alongside other prominent industry stakeholders. As an established occasion on the Maldives’ tourism calendar, the event provided a platform to celebrate regional industry achievements, recognise leading travel brands and strengthen connections among organisations contributing to South Asia’s tourism development.
Commenting on the achievement, Dimuthu Tennakoon, Head of Commercial, SriLankan Airlines, stated, “We are honoured to receive this recognition at the South Asian Travel Awards 2026. Being named the Leading International Airline in the Visitors’ Choice Awards once again is a meaningful acknowledgement of our commitment to serving our passengers and strengthening our presence in the region. This award inspires us to continue enhancing the travel experience we offer and to build stronger connections with the markets and communities we serve.”
Alongside its focus on providing high standards of customer service, SriLankan Airlines continues to strengthen international connectivity through its extensive route network and convenient travel connections. Across South Asia, the national carrier operates close to 130 weekly flights serving 15 destinations in India, Pakistan, the Maldives, Nepal and Bangladesh. Its flight schedules are designed to offer greater flexibility and convenience, catering to passengers travelling to Colombo for business or holidays, as well as those connecting through Sri Lanka to destinations further afield. This regional network plays an important role in supporting tourism, business travel and international mobility.
The latest recognition marks another significant achievement for SriLankan Airlines, highlighting its established position within the regional aviation and tourism sector. It also acknowledges the airline’s continued efforts to improve passenger experiences, maintain reliable services and develop stronger connections with customers and travel industry stakeholders. Beyond recognising service quality, the award underlines the value of maintaining long-term partnerships and responding to the changing expectations of travellers across its markets.
SriLankan Airlines continues to expand its international reach through a combination of scheduled services and strategic codeshare partnerships with other carriers. Together, these arrangements provide passengers with access to 130 destinations across 63 countries, creating a wide network of travel opportunities. By working with international airline partners, the carrier enables travellers to reach destinations beyond its own operating routes while benefiting from more convenient connections and greater flexibility when planning their journeys.
The airline’s direct services connect Sri Lanka with important destinations across Europe, Australia, the Middle East, the Indian Subcontinent, Southeast Asia and the Far East. This geographical coverage supports both leisure and business travel, allowing passengers to explore international destinations or travel for professional commitments. Colombo serves as a central connecting point within the airline’s network, helping travellers move between different regions while strengthening Sri Lanka’s role as an international aviation and tourism hub.
To support its regional and long-haul operations, SriLankan Airlines maintains an all-Airbus fleet comprising A330-200 and A330-300 wide-body aircraft, together with aircraft from the A320 and A321 families. These aircraft serve different operational requirements, with wide-body models primarily supporting longer international journeys and narrow-body aircraft operating regional and medium-haul services. This fleet structure allows the airline to serve a diverse range of markets while focusing on operational efficiency, passenger comfort and consistent service standards.
SriLankan Airlines also places importance on making international travel more accessible through its flight schedules, booking services and connections with partner airlines. Its extensive network provides opportunities for tourists, corporate travellers and passengers visiting friends and relatives to travel between Sri Lanka and destinations worldwide. Travellers can explore available routes, review flight schedules, check travel options and make reservations through the airline’s official website, which provides further information about its services and international operations.
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