AVIATION

Prathibha Prabha completes two years

Prathibha Prabha, the in-flight entertainment program on SriLankan Airlines has completed two years of entertaining passengers. The popular series' third season commenced with its first episode shot on location at the Teleview studio premises in Maharagama, recently. SriLankan Airlines CEO Manoj Gunawardena initiated Prathibha Prabha two years ago, to make local passengers onboard SriLankan flights feel at home, and give them a sense of familiarity.

Another important objective of this program is to reintroduce some of the country's great artists to local passengers in a new light, whilst giving everyone travelling on SriLankan Airlines an opportunity to enjoy local talent and a taste of Lankan culture. For the opening segment of the third season, a biographical documentary of veteran actress Iranganie Serasinghe presented and narrated by Nayana Kumari, a talented and popular actress in her own right, has completed production.

Prathibha Prabha has formerly featured industry heavyweights such as film directors Dr. Lester James Peiris, Prasanna Vithanage, Sumithra Peiris, Somaratne Dissanayake and actors Malini Fonseka, Joe Abeywickreme, Ravindra Randeniya, Geetha Kumarasinghe, Tony Ranasinghe, Anoja Weerasinghe and many more. Award winning television producer and director and Teleview (PVT) Ltd CEO Sunil Ratnayake directed all episodes of the production.

With the advent of Prathibha Prabha, the SriLankan Airlines in-flight entertainment magazine too was made available in Sinhalese for the benefit of their Sinhala speaking passengers. In a bid to enhance local in-flight programming even further, a brand new channel featuring documentaries on Sri Lanka is also in the pipeline, to be launched soon.

Convenience now at your fingertips :

Asia Miles mobile membership card

Asia Miles recently launched its mobile membership card in a move which ensures that accrual has been made even easier for members.

The Asia Miles mobile application

Targeting tech savvy members' requirements for convenience and efficiency, the Asia Miles membership card is now available on Asia Miles mobile platforms (including iPhone and iPad applications and their mobile site) after membership login. Asia Miles partner categories cover airlines, hotels, transport, retail, dining and banquets, travel and leisure, finance and insurance, telecoms, and professional services. Members can earn miles by logging on with their membership number or user name and PIN and start shopping to earn and redeem miles through the Asia Miles iShop.

Furthermore, one can earn and redeem even more Asia Miles when one uses his or her credit cards with Asia Miles partners. For example, one can earn miles by dining at a partner restaurant, and earn again by paying for the meal with a partner credit card that converts credit card points to Asia Miles. Similar to the current Asia Miles membership card, the mobile membership card will not have an expiry date; it is not transferable and only one Asia Miles membership number can be stored in an application on members' mobile.

The mobile membership card is the latest development in Asia Miles' suite of mobile services. In addition to the membership card, their mobile application or site includes earn and redeem offers, dining partner locations by Google map, login for checking miles balance and more. The Android version of their mobile application will also be launched soon. More details regarding Asia Miles offers and services can be obtained by visiting the Asia Miles website http://www.asiamiles.com

Emirates named Airline of the Year for 2011

Emirates Airline President Tim Clark, (left), receiving the ‘Airline of the Year’ 2011 award at a gala dinner in Washington

Emirates, the Dubai-based carrier, was honoured by leading industry title Air Transport World on Tuesday 8 as the airline's President Tim Clark received the 'Airline of the Year' award at a gala dinner in Washington, D.C. "The last few years have been among the most demanding in our industry's history but despite the challenges, we have kept our focus on delivering the very highest standards of product, passenger comfort and operational efficiency," said Tim Clark.

"This recognition is testament to our commitment to innovation and service excellence as we continue to grow our global network and offer customers more opportunities to discover the world from Dubai", he said.

"Customers have a choice to fly Emirates, given that more than 125 airlines serve Dubai. The route network appeals to travellers not only in the UAE, but to those in Europe, Asia, Africa and North America who value the efficiency and connectivity of the Dubai hub," said ATW Editorial Director Perry Flint.

Oman Air wins Airline Amenity Bag Awards 2010

Contents of the Business Class bag

The national carrier of the Sultanate of Oman won the Gold Award in the Best First Class Female Amenity Bag category, the Gold Award for Best In-flight Amenity - recognizing Oman Air's pioneering introduction of both mobile phone and Wi-Fi connectivity onboard its aircraft - and the Silver Award for Best First Class Male Amenity Bag.

Oman Air was also shortlisted in the Best Business Class Unisex Amenity Bag category.

The awards attracted a record number of entries from airlines, manufacturers, suppliers and designers of airline amenities.

Winning the awards follows a year in which Oman Air has been transformed, with the introduction of new airbus A330 aircraft to its fleet, the inauguration of a range of exciting new destinations, the unveiling of spacious and luxurious aircraft interiors and the launch of state-of-the-art in-flight entertainment systems.

Oman Air has also been at the forefront of technological innovation as it became the first airline in the world to offer passengers full mobile phone and wi-fi connectivity simultaneously on its widebody aircraft.

SriLankan stewardesses on catwalk

SriLankan Airlines stewardesses were on the catwalk last Sunday at the Colombo Fashion Week held at the Colombo Hilton. The stewardesses were showcasing their new uniform as part of the show where a host of local and international designers displayed their collections. SriLankan was the official carrier for the event and flew in models, designers and fashion industry professionals from all across their network for the event.