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SriLankan Airlines’ new plan to be like Emirates

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In a bid to turn the loss making airline into a profitable venture, SriLankan Airlines has come up with a five-year strategic plan. Part of the plan will see them emulating industry leader Emirates, with a new hub and spoke network model.

In a statement SriLankan Airlines said:

“SriLankan Airlines has formulated a new five-year Strategic Business Plan for the period 2019-24 with the objective of transforming itself into a financially viable organization airline group with high brand visibility and a global reputation for excellence,”

They went on to say that the national carrier had an ‘enormous contribution’ to make to the GDP of Sri Lanka, including import, export and tourism.

What is SriLankan Airlines planning?

Their latest five year strategic business plan includes major development of the Colombo hub to make it a key connecting point for a variety of markets. SriLankan are targeting passengers connecting through Africa, Asia and the Middle East, in a bid to grow as big as rival airline Emirates.

As a member of Oneworld, SriLankan are hoping to leverage their membership to develop their network for the future. In contrast to their current point to point model, they plan to work on more of a hub and spoke model to develop new opportunities.

The plan is to be presented to the Government of Sri Lanka for approval shortly.

New routes and fleet

Currently, SriLankan Airlines operate with a fleet of 27 Airbus aircraft. Specifically, these are 13 A320 family aircraft and 14 A330s. As part of the five year plan, the carrier intends to select new fleet inclusions which match the requirement of their developing route network. They have also said they want to reconfigure their existing fleet to offer an enhanced business class service.

Already, the airline has announced a fifth weekly service between Colombo and Tokyo from July onwards, using its Airbus A330-300s. If the plan is formalized by the government, we expect to see many more new route announcements over the coming weeks.

As well as routes and fleet, the plan specifies that it will:

  • Enhance the customer experience by improving customer-centricity throughout the airline
  • Adopt best practices to improve productivity
  • Grow online sales to reach a wider market in a more cost effective manner
  • Improve employee engagement
  • Implement a competitive cost structure through a greater cost consciousness throughout the company

The plan is being headed up by Group Chief Executive Officer Vipula Gunatilleka, who was appointed to the airline in mid-2018. Prior to joining SriLankan, Gunatilleka was a board member and CFO of TAAG Angola. There, he worked closely with Emirates while they were managing TAAG, so no doubt knows his hub and spoke business very well already.

A loss-making airline

The airline is undergoing a major shakeup with a view to turning a profit. Over the last nine months, the carrier’s net loss more than doubled to a total loss of $135m. It is hoped that the five year strategic plan being tabled today will transform the airline by 2024.

 

Travel News | eTurboNews

Jordan sets itself up for European MICE audience

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Jordan, a country which is sheltered from the troubles of the region, is safe to travel in and around, independently or in a group. The country is presenting itself to the European MICE audience with fully-detailed proposals as well as a complete specializing catalogue thanks to the cooperation of The Platinum Services, a Rome-based event agency and DMC specializing in first class events in Italy, Europe and other selected areas, and Guarantee Travel Group, one of the biggest DMCs and event and travel agencies of the Country, benefitting from personal contacts with Jordan Minister of Tourism and Antiquities Majd Mohammad Shweikeh.

“Jordan’s MICE industry has come of age,” stated Regional Director Mr. Rami Qutishat. “It understands the particular demands of the meetings and incentive market and strives to exceed expectations. It has harnessed the ingredients needed to provide groups with a successful event that touches the hearts of most discerning delegates and resides in their memories». For nearly half a century, Late King Hussein was viewed as a respected world leader and a symbol of peace and reconciliation. Today, his son King Abdullah II echoes the same voice of moderation – not by chance, he’s been recently presented the Peace Lamp in Assisi, Italy.”

Jordan is located at the crossroads of three continents, making it an ideal meeting place for international events. Flying time from most European, African and Asian cities is around four hours, and there is easy and direct access from the USA and Canada. GMT +2 hours; US Eastern Standard Time +7 hours.

Aqaba’s King Hussein International Airport (KHIA) is a gateway to the Red Sea and is becoming an important regional hub for business and leisure travelers. It is the only airport in Jordan to operate an Open Skies policy.

The national carrier, Royal Jordanian Airlines, flies to 54 destinations and is a member of One World Alliance with code sharing alliances with many airlines. The country boasts a fine array of international hotels, with new investments constantly adding a number of exciting developments to the portfolio. The country is now embracing the concept of eco resorts and is increasingly supporting green initiatives.

Besides the wealth of meeting space available in all the major hotels, the opening of the King Hussein Bin Talal Convention Center in 2006 on the shore of the Dead Sea signaled Jordan’s commitment to this sector.

Jordan touches many senses – from spicy aromas and culinary pleasures to an invigorating mud wrap, first glimpse of Petra’s Treasury and the sound of desert silence. It is one of nature’s most unusual adventure playgrounds, containing some of the world’s best preserved Nabataean and Roman cities, as well as the Dead Sea, the lowest point in the world; and for an even greater adrenalin rush, it unveils the crags that tower over Wadi Rum or the waterfalls in Wadi Mujib.

“Jordan is a country with rich cultural heritage,” stated Loredana Chiappini, owner of The Platinum Services. MICE events are set against a spectacular backdrop of mountains, deserts and seas that have provided the stage for many of history’s most momentous dramas. When you combine world-class meeting facilities with an inspiring range of incentive activities in a dramatic setting, you will have the ingredients for a very special event. With easy access, value for money and highly experienced DMCs, success is assured.”

Click on the website for more information.

Travel News | eTurboNews

Uganda Airlines firms up orders for two Airbus A330neo aircraft

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Uganda Airlines, the national carrier of Uganda, has firmed up its order for two A330-800 airliners, the latest version of the most popular A330 widebody airliner.

Fitted with the new Airspace by Airbus cabin, the A330neo will bring a range of benefits to Uganda Airlines and its customers, offering unrivalled efficiencies combined with the most modern cabin.

Uganda Airlines plans to use the A330-800 to build its medium and long-haul network with the aircraft offering cutting-edge technology along with more efficient operations

Launched in July 2014, the A330neo Family is the new generation A330, comprising two versions: the A330-800 and A330-900 sharing 99 percent commonality. It builds on the proven economics, versatility and reliability of the A330 Family while reducing fuel consumption by about 25 percent per seat versus previous generation competitors and increasing range by up to 1,500 nm compared to the majority of A330s in operation. The A330neo is powered by Rolls-Royce’s latest-generation Trent 7000 engines and features a new wing with increased span and new A350 XWB-inspired Sharklets. The cabin provides the comfort of the new Airspace amenities including state-of-the-art passenger inflight entertainment and Wifi connectivity systems, amongst others.

Travel News | eTurboNews