Business
Cinnamon Air Builds A New Hangar At BIA
JV between JKH, MMBL-Pathfinder and Phoenix Ventures
Cinnamon Air, Sri Lanka’s premier domestic airline and the only to offer an extensive scheduled flight service, serving numerous popular tourist destinations within the country, recently commenced construction of a new aircraft maintenance Hangar at Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA). Relocation to the new Hangar will enable Cinnamon Air to conduct aircraft maintenance activities at a location adjacent to its own terminal, thereby being the only domestic airline to have its own Terminal and Hangar within the precincts of BIA, a company news release said.
Cinnamon Air (www.cinnamonair.com), owned and operated by Saffron Aviation (Pvt.) Limited, is a joint venture between Sri Lanka’s largest listed conglomerate, John Keells Holdings PLC, MMBL Leisure Holdings (a member of MMBL-Pathfinder group), and Phoenix Ventures (parent of the Brandix Group).
“Since the beginning of its domestic airline operations in 2013, Cinnamon Air maintained its own fleet of Cessna 208 series amphibian and fixed wheeled aircraft with a team of experienced professionals at a Hangar within the premises of the Sri Lanka Air Force base in Katunayake,” the release said.
“While in Katunayake, Cinnamon Air leased the site for the new Hangar from Airport and Airport and Aviation Services (Sri Lanka) (Private) Limited (AASL), which was previously used by SriLankan Airlines for SriLankan Air Taxi operations.”
“At Cinnamon Air, we are continuously exploring new avenues to enhance our service by streamlining our operations,” said Mr. Bernard Goonetilleke, Director, Saffron Aviation (Pvt.) Limited (the company that operates Cinnamon Air) commenting on the relocation of its hangar.
“By undertaking aircraft maintenance operations at the new hangar adjacent to our own passenger terminal, among many other benefits contributing to enhanced operational efficiency, we will be able to substantially shorten aircraft taxiing times between the two points, which currently involves crossing the runway used by international flights.
“By implementing infrastructure improvements such as relocation of our maintenance Hangar, we are preparing ourselves to deliver a more streamlined service when the demand for domestic air travel in Sri Lanka resumes.
“Although the tourism industry, the key demand creator for our service, has declined due to the pandemic, we are confident that it will recover in the near future, as indicated by improvements in regions such as Western Europe, North America, and the Australian continent, key origins of high-end tourists visiting Sri Lanka.”
In addition to scheduled flights, Cinnamon Air also offers charter services to and between all Airports and Water Aerodromes in Sri Lanka. The Airline is based out of Bandaranaike International Airport, where it operates a dedicated domestic passenger terminal and will soon have its own purpose-built Hangar and aircraft maintenance facilities within the precincts of BIA, the release said.
Further, all Cinnamon Air scheduled flights operate in code share with Sri Lankan Airlines, consequent to which they will also be available for sale throughout the Sri Lankan Airlines network and all Travel Agents around the world via Global Distribution Systems, under a “UL” designated flight number, it explained.
The Delegation of German Industry and Commerce in Sri Lanka (AHK Sri Lanka) proudly facilitated the first-ever Sri Lankan delegation’s participation at Drupa 2024, the world’s largest trade fair for the printing industry and technology. Held after an eight-year hiatus, Drupa 2024 was a landmark event, marking significant advancements and opportunities in the global printing industry.
AHK Sri Lanka played a pivotal role in organising and supporting the delegation, which comprised 17 members from the Sri Lanka Association for Printers (SLAP), representing eight companies from the commercial, newspaper, stationery printing, and packaging industries. This pioneering effort by AHK Sri Lanka not only showcased the diverse capabilities of Sri Lanka’s printing sector but also facilitated vital bilateral discussions with key stakeholders from the German printing industry.
Business
Unveiling Ayugiri: Browns Hotels & Resorts sets the stage for a new era in luxury Ayurveda Wellness
In a captivating reimagining of luxury wellness tourism, Browns Hotels & Resorts proudly unveiled the exquisite Ayugiri Ayurveda Wellness Resort Sigiriya. This momentous occasion, celebrated amidst a vibrant and serene grand opening on the 6th of June, heralds a new chapter in the Ayurveda wellness tourism landscape in Sri Lanka. Nestled amidst 54 acres of unspoiled natural splendour, Ayugiri features 22 exclusive suites and stands out as the only luxury Ayurveda wellness resort in the country offering plunge pools in every room, rendering it truly one-of-a-kind.
The grand opening of Ayugiri Ayurveda Wellness Resort was an enchanting event, where guests were captivated by the melodies of flutists and violinists resonating through Sigiriya’s lush landscapes. As traditional drummers and dancers infused the air with vibrant energy, Browns Hotels & Resorts’ CEO, Eksath Wijeratne, Kotaro Katsuki, Acting Ambassador for the Embassy of Japan and General Manager, Buwaneka Bandara, unveiled the resort’s new logo, marking a significant moment witnessed by distinguished guests from the French Embassy, Ayurveda and wellness enthusiasts along with officials from the Sigiriya area, LOLC Holdings and Browns Group.
“Our strategic expansion into wellness tourism with Ayugiri Ayurveda Wellness Resort Sigiriya symbolises a significant milestone for Browns Hotels & Resorts. Wellness tourism has consistently outperformed the overall tourism industry for over a decade, reflecting a growing global interest in travel that goes beyond leisure to offer rejuvenation and holistic well-being. By integrating the timeless wisdom of Ayurveda with modern luxury, we aim to set a new standard in luxury wellness tourism in Sri Lanka. Whether your goal is prevention, healing, or a deeper connection to inner harmony, Ayugiri offers a sanctuary for holistic well-being” stated Eksath Wijeratne.
Ayugiri encapsulates the essence of life, inspired by the lotus flower held by the graceful queens of the infamous Sigiriya frescoes. Just as the lotus emerges from the murky depths, untainted and serene,
Ayugiri invites guests on a journey of purity and rejuvenation, harmonised with a balance of mind, body and spirit, the essence of nature, echoes of culture and the wisdom of ancient Ayurvedic healing.
HNB General Insurance, one of Sri Lanka’s leading general insurance providers, has been honored as the Best General Bancassurance Provider in Sri Lanka 2024 by the prestigious Global Banking and Finance Review – UK.
The esteemed accolade underscores HNB General Insurance’s unwavering commitment to excellence and its outstanding performance in the field of bancassurance. Through dedication and hard work, the HNB General Insurance team has continuously endeavored to deliver innovative insurance solutions, cultivate strong relationships with banking partners, and provide unparalleled service to customers nationwide. This recognition is a testament to the team’s dedication and relentless pursuit of excellence in the bancassurance business.
“We are honored to receive this prestigious award, which reflects our team’s tireless efforts and dedication to delivering value-added insurance solutions and exceptional service through our bancassurance partnerships,” said Sithumina Jayasundara, CEO of HNB General Insurance. “This recognition reaffirms our position as a trusted insurance provider in Sri Lanka and motivates us to continue striving for excellence in serving our customers and communities.”
US sports envoys to Lanka to champion youth development
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