Skytrax Research conducts the largest independent passenger survey in the airline industry and this year over 4.1 million people participated, nearly 50 per cent more than last year.

The survey was conducted between August 2001 and March 2002. Survey data was gathered through online customer surveys, corporate travel questionnaires and onboard/airport consumer interviews.

In 2001 too, SriLankan won Skytrax`s award for Best Airline of the Year in Central Asia. Over 2.5 million people participated last year.

“The award of Best Airline of the Year in Central Asia for two consecutive years is a singular honour for SriLankan, more so because it has been given by none other than our customers, through Skytrax Research,” says SriLankan`s Chief Executive Officer Peter Hill. “Moreover we are proud to be in league with big players like our partner Emirates, Cathay Pacific, Singapore Airlines and British Airways who are among the top five for Skytrax`s Airline of the Year award. Further, this award is the fourth we have received in the last twelve months since we were awarded Best Airline of the Year in Central Asia last year.”

The other two awards were the results of reader surveys in the popular travel magazines Wanderlust in the UK and Reise & Preise of Germany.

“Successive awards prove that since the re-launch of SriLankan in 1999, our reputation as a quality airline, offering a superior in-flight product is really appreciated by our customers the world over,” says Hill.

Says Edward Plaisted, CEO of Skytrax: “This is the second year in succession that SriLankan Airlines has won the Best Airline Central Asia title. That in itself is quite an achievement when viewing the size and global scope of this year`s survey, but more importantly it bears testament to the high standards being achieved by SriLankan Airlines. 2001 was a difficult year for the airline industry, but for SriLankan Airlines it was even harder - the attack on Katunayake Airport hit Sri Lanka hard, and it is very pleasing to see this just reward go to SriLankan Airlines for all their hard work in the intervening period. With a well developed in-flight product offered by the airline, the front-line staff of SriLankan Airlines deserve praise for the high quality service they deliver - this Airline of the Year Award is that recognition.”

SriLankan has also received Quality Approved Airline status by Skytrax and therefore becomes eligible to be a member of its Leading Airlines of the World organization. Quality Approved Airline status recognizes carriers supplying the highest quality of product and service to passengers, in the most consistent manner and gives passengers an assurance of quality. Eligibility for quality approved airline is restricted to carriers currently rated with four or five star status in the Skytrax rating programme.

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