Sri Lanka station wins two awards from Emirates

The passenger and cargo operations of Emirates in Sri Lanka have been recognised for outstanding performance in 2007-08 with two top accolades presented at Emirates’ worldwide, annual commercial conference in Dubai.

Emirates Area Manager for Sri Lanka and Maldives, Chandana de Silva and Sales Manager for Sri Lanka, Devika Ellepola receiving the award.

Emirates’ Sales Manager for Sri Lanka, Devika Ellepola, accepted the Outstanding Achievements Award in the Passenger category from Salem Obaidalla, Emirates’ Senior Vice President Commercial Operations, West Asia and Indian Ocean, while the Best GSA Award from Emirates SkyCargo was presented to Damian Jayasuriya, Emirates’ Cargo Manager, Sri Lanka and Maldives by Ram Menen, Divisional Senior Vice President Cargo, Emirates.

Commenting on the top honours, Emirates Area Manager for Sri Lanka and Maldives, Chandana de Silva said: “These awards are particularly significant because they recognise performance during a period of challenges and difficult market conditions. Our region is very competitive, and I congratulate the passenger and cargo divisions for exceeding targets through hard work and creativity.”

Sales Manager, Devika Ellepola noted: “Passenger sales revenue grew significantly and in fact exceeded the Colombo station’s target for 2007-08. The robust growth was achieved during a year in which services were temporarily disrupted due to airport closure, and bear testimony to the station’s potential and the resilience of the nation’s travel industry.”

Cargo Manager, Damian Jayasuriya said Emirates SkyCargo today accounts for one eighth of all air cargo movement out of Colombo, making Emirates the largest air cargo carrier among foreign airlines operating in Sri Lanka. “The award from SkyCargo acknowledges the efforts made by our General Sales Agent, Forbes Air Services, to support the cargo division.

It recognises their professional representation of Emirates consistently over the years and their ability to adapt to meet our changing needs.”

The winner of more than 300 major international awards and one of the world’s fastest-growing airlines, Emirates operates 17 services a week from Colombo to Dubai and four services a week from Colombo to Singapore and Jakarta. In the year ending March 31, 2008, Emirates Airline globally carried 21.2 million passengers and 1.3 million tonnes of cargo.