SriLankan Cargo records highest revenue of Rs. 12.8 bn

SriLankan Cargo, the cargo arm of SriLankan Airlines recorded the highest revenue of Rs. 12.8 billion earned in a single financial year in the history of the airline. It also handled the highest tonnage of 101,000 metric tonnes this year. SriLankan cargo has recorded an increase of 21 percent on its revenue and also a 15 percent increase on the tonnage.

Cargo export revenue out of operations in Colombo records an impressive increase of 19 percent increase above the previous year which also records an increase of 33 percent in tonnage compared to last year. SriLankan Airlines, Senior Manager Cargo, Worldwide Sales and Marketing Ali Kamil said, “This is a remarkable achievement considering the fact that Malaysia Airlines, Qatar Airways, Etihad and Cathay operated freighters and several airlines including Korean Air, Turkish Airlines operating wide-bodied aircraft to Colombo.

Despite heavy competition, SriLankan Cargo will achieve the projected revenue target of Rs. 13.4 billion for the current Financial Year.”

Cargo has been able to stay within the industry’s growth rate range of 5.2 percent predicted by IATA for the year 2012/13. Its contribution to the total network revenue is 12 percent which is on par with the industry’s norm.

The services provided by SriLankan Cargo varies from express cargo to on board courier with special provisions for valuable, vulnerable and dangerous goods, handled by specially trained staff in accordance with IATA regulations.

Having been the sole handling agent for cargo of all airlines that operate through BIA, its Cargo Centre is located in the premises of the airport with an impressive storage space of over 20,000 square meters. SriLankan Cargo also manages the 5,000-square meter cargo facility at Mattala Rajapaksa International Airport which has the capacity of handling 60,000 metric tons.

It is equipped with facilities to store live animals, dangerous goods, temperature regulated goods, customs and quarantine cargo, with special provisions for valuable cargo, weighing facility up to 15,000 kg and screening machines.