SriLankan Airlines
Sri Lanka · SRILANKAN · Active
Airline Identity
History
SriLankan Airlines traces its roots to Air Ceylon, the country's original flag carrier, which ceased operations in 1978 and was succeeded in 1979 by Air Lanka, a new state-owned national carrier. In 1998, Dubai's Emirates airline acquired a 43.6% stake and took over management, and the carrier was rebranded SriLankan Airlines with a new livery in 1998–1999, professionalizing operations and expanding its long-haul network. Emirates' management contract ended in 2008, returning the airline to full Sri Lankan government control, which today stands at roughly 99.5% state ownership. SriLankan joined the oneworld alliance on 1 May 2014, becoming the first carrier from the Indian subcontinent to join a major global airline alliance.
Current Operations
SriLankan Airlines operates an all-Airbus fleet comprising A330-200/300 widebodies for long-haul and regional routes and A320/A321neo narrowbodies for shorter sectors, from its hub at Bandaranaike International Airport near Colombo. As of early 2026 the airline flies to roughly 35 destinations in 21 countries directly, extending to well over 100 destinations through codeshare and oneworld partnerships. The carrier returned to profitability in fiscal year 2022–23 after years of heavy losses and government-absorbed debt exceeding $300 million, though privatization plans initiated in 2023 were abandoned by the Sri Lankan government in September 2024, leaving it state-owned for the foreseeable future. SriLankan Cargo achieved IATA live-animal logistics certification in February 2026, reflecting continued investment in specialized cargo operations alongside passenger services.
Last verified 2026-08-22· Source: airline public disclosures, company press releases & aviation-industry reporting.