‘Excellent progress in preparations to board oneworld ’

M F Jabir in Kuala Lumpur

The progress so far made in joining oneworld alliance have been excellent, SriLankan Chairman Nishantha Wickemasinghe told Dailynews Business.Wickemasinghe expressed these sentiments participating as a special invitee in the ceremony held by Malaysia Airlines (MAS) to unveil its first aircraft decorated in the livery of the oneworld alliance in a ceremony held in Kuala Lumpur Malaysia last Thursday.

Wickemasinghe said that our systems have to be compatible with the systems of other members of the oneworld alliace and many new systems needed to be put in place.

He said a very good team headed by Manik Gunasekera has been working round the clock for this purpose.

“ I have been following up with the oneworld management company and thay said our progress has been excellent,” Wickremasinghe said. He said there were many benefits in the offine for SriLankan by joining the oneworld alliance.

He said a single airline with limited aircraft, could not conquer the world itself.

The alliance with oneworld would provide SriLankan travellers the opportunity to fly to any part of the world with a SriLankan ticket.

He said to enter the alliance, the vote of members were required.

“Although there were many airlines, oneworld has decided to invite SriLankan because of the strategic importance of our National Carrier. The invitation to SriLankan Airlines (UL) by oneworld alliance to join them is ample evidence of UL's strength and acceptance,” he said.

Wickremasinghe added that SriLankan had made a thorough evaluation of the situation, as there were many alliances.

However by joining oneworld, SriLankan could derive maximum advantage in the aviation world and last year's invitation to come on board with oneworld, was encouraging and due recognition to the progress SriLankan had achieved in the past few years.