SriLankan Airlines has launched a sizeable internal relief operation to help victims of the tsunami disaster. Country managers worldwide are co-ordinating the mobilisation of relief aid from their territories, while all airline staff - more than 4,000 in total - have already donated wages to the cause.SriLankan Airlines CEO Peter Hill said: “The airline’s relief effort has been building up continuously since the disaster, and staff are working around the clock to help repatriate the final overseas visitors, as well as fly emergency aid workers and supplies into Colombo from all over the world.
“The airline is working with embassies and international aid agencies to mobilise relief and emergency supplies. While we are making great headway, the task is still immense.”
According to Hill, the airline’s airport staff have been working around the clock to clear the tons of aid that has arrived in Colombo, but large backlogs of cargo await shipment at airports in Bangkok, Singapore, Dubai and London.
SriLankan Airlines has waived all handling charges for relief cargo at Colombo’s International airport as well as providing free carriage on its own services.
Meanwhile, the airline’s air taxi service is supporting the efforts of local authorities by transferring people to remote parts of the country.
——-