SriLankan Airlines, the national carrier of Sri Lanka and a member of the oneworld alliance, proving its consolidated presence in the Indian Sub-Continent yet again, was awarded the “World’s Leading Airline to the Indian Ocean” title at the World Travel Awards World Ceremony, in Phu Quoc, Vietnam.

Congratulating SriLankan Airlines, World Travel Awards Founder and President Mr. Graham E Cooke said, “A well-deserved congratulations to SriLankan Airlines on their success at the World Travel Awards’ Grand Final.’ World’s Leading Airline to the Indian Ocean 2017’ is a prestigious international award that places SriLankan Airlines firmly at the top of the travel and tourism industry. I hope their recognition, both by their peers and members of the public, will inspire them to aim ever higher in the pursuit of excellence.”

SriLankan Airlines, Chief Commercial Officer, Mr. Siva Ramachandran said, “We are pleased to have received this prestigious award at the WTA World Ceremony. This is a true testimony of our efforts to establish a strong presence in South Asia and the Indian Ocean markets. Whist introducing new destinations, we have also increased frequencies to popular destinations based on the passenger demand. We will continue to explore opportunities to expand our reach in the region and endeavor to offer our passengers enhanced connectivity and a wider choice when travelling with us.”

The Award proves SriLankan’s presence in the South Asian region, strongly supported by its connectivity of 133 flights a week to 14 Indian cities (including seasonal operations to Bodh Gaya and Varanasi). The Airline also operates to other popular cities such as Dhaka, Karachi and Lahore.

The Maldives has been Sri Lanka’s extended home market with its connectivity to Male of 27 flights a week, facilitating leisure-seekers from its extensive network of Middle East, the Europe, the Far East and Australia. SriLankan also became the first Airline to connect Gan Island of South Maldives with the world, thus becoming the only airline that operates out of two points in the Maldives.

The other contenders to the title were Air Austral, Air France, Air India, Air Seychelles, AirAsia, British Airways, Emirates, Etihad Airways, Kenya Airways, KLM - Royal Dutch Airlines, Lufthansa, Qatar Airways and Turkish Airlines.

This year, SriLankan also won “Asia’s Leading Cultural Airline” at WTA Asia Ceremony and “Asia’s Leading Airline to the Indian Ocean” at the WTA Indian Ocean Ceremony.

Some of the other winners of the world awards were, Singapore Airlines, Oman Air, Emirates, Vietnam Airlines, Emirates-Skywards, oneworld alliance, Changi Airport, Singapore, American Express, Hertz, DUKES London, England, Emirates Palace, Abu Dhabi, UAE, Armani Hotel Dubai, UAE, Annandale, New Zealand and The Peninsula Paris, France.

World Travel Awards™ was established in 1993 to acknowledge, reward and celebrate excellence across all key sectors of the travel, tourism and hospitality industries. Today, the World Travel Awards™ brand is recognised globally as the ultimate hallmark of industry excellence.

World Travel Awards™ celebrates its 24th anniversary this year and its Grand Tour featured regional gala ceremonies in the Asia & Australasia (Shanghai, China), Europe (St. Petersburg, Russia), Middle East (Dubai), Africa & the Indian Ocean (Rwanda), North America & the Caribbean (Turks & Caicos) and Latin America (Riviera Maya, Mexico). Regional winners then competed head to head in in the corresponding world categories. The winners were announced at the World Travel Awards™ Grand Final in December 2017.