AVIATION

SriLankan continues scholarship project

SriLankan Airlines continued its long tradition of supporting education by awarding scholarships to children of the airlines staff for the tenth consecutive year.

The three best performing students at the Year 5 Scholarship Examination among children of the National Carrier’s staff received scholarships that will support them throughout their school careers, and even their university education.

The three recipients were Anuththara Perera of Sujatha Vidyalaya in Colombo, Himadaree Jayawardene of Hangawaththa Ragagiri Primary School in Minuwangoda and Treshan Ayesh Peirispulle of Maris Stella College, Negombo.

The National Carrier honoured 45 children of staff - 24 boys and 21 girls who passed the last Year 5 Exam, at a ceremony at the airlines premises in Katunayake on January 21.

While many of the winners were from schools in the Gampaha and Colombo districts, there were also children from the districts of Kurunegala, Galle, Kegalle, Kalutara and Kandy.

The scholarship program is run by the airlines employees themselves through the SriLankan Airlines Staff Welfare Society.

Over the last seven years, scholarships have been presented to 21 children who excelled at the Year 5 Scholarship Examination, all of whom continue to be currently supported.

There is also a separate program of presenting scholarships to students who obtain all As at the Ordinary Level exam.

SriLankan Airlines staff also assist several schools around Bandaranaike International Airport, and the airline has for many years had internship programs for undergraduates of the Colombo, Sri Jayawardenapura and Ruhuna Universities.

IATA appointment

The International Air Transport Association (IATA) has appointed Willy Boulter as Regional Vice President for Asia-Pacific.

Boulter will be responsible for Member and Government Relations, and will oversee all IATAs initiatives in Asia-Pacific.

Boulter brings to IATA over 30 years of industry experience, including 20 years with Cathay Pacific in various positions in Hong Kong, Canada, India, Japan, the Philippines, and the USA.

Boulter joins IATA from Gulf Air where he was the Chief Commercial Officer.

Prior to Gulf Air, Boulter was Chief Executive of Sky Express, Russia’s first low cost carrier, and had held senior management appointments at Virgin Atlantic Airways and South African Airways.

“I welcome Willy to IATA at a critical moment for aviation. After a decade in which the global industry lost an average of US$5 billion a year, cutting costs and improving efficiency is a global challenge. At the same time, we must look forward with optimism for Asia Pacifics future as a leading player. Last year travel within Asia eclipsed North America as the world’s largest market. Willy will lead IATAs support for this growing region across the full spectrum of industry issues, IATA Director General, CEO Giovanni Bisignani said.

IATA brings solutions to meet the challenges and take advantage of the opportunities generated by the region’s growth.

These include improving service and cutting costs with simplifying the business, global standards on safety with IOSA and ISAGO and a united industry target to tackle environment with a 50 percent net reduction in carbon emissions by 2050 compared to 2005, Boulter said.

Asia-Pacific is today the worlds largest aviation market. In 2009, 647 million people flew within Asia-Pacific markets.

This is larger than the 638 million who travelled within North America in the same year.

By 2013, growth will result in an additional 217 million people flying within Asia Pacific accounting for almost a third of the global industry.

Cathay Pacific seasonal fares

Cathay Pacific Airways is offering specially designed fares to Singapore and Bangkok.

Travellers can enjoy reduced rates on Business and Economy Class on Cathay Pacific Airways.

Ticketing is valid from now until March 15, with travel to commence on or before March 31. “We want to provide a service for our customers to take time off from their busy schedules and enjoy a well-deserved break which is affordable and provides them with the airline’s renowned services,” Cathay Pacific Airways Colombo Sales and Marketing Manager Ruhan Abbas said.

Cathay Pacific operates three times a week to Bangkok (Monday, Wednesday and Friday) and four times a week to Singapore (Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday and Sunday), offering convenient schedules for business and leisure travellers.

Passengers can make most of their trip with the airline’s midnight flights, which allow travellers to arrive early morning and enjoy whole days at their destination of choice.

Cathay Pacific Airways is represented by Finlays Colombo as General Sales Agent.