DHAKA: A pledge of continued support to Sri Lanka’s tourism industry through award-winning air services was one of the highlights of the high-profile formal opening of the Emirates Lounge at the Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA), Katunayaka.
Tim Clark, President of Emirates Airline and Mohammed Mattar, Divisional Senior Vice President, Airport Services, Mahmood Mohammed Al-Mahmood, the UAE Ambassador in Sri Lanka, Minister of Economic Development Basil Rajapaksa, Civil Aviation Minister Priyankara Jayaratna and senior aviation officials attended the opening function, the first to be set up at BIA by an international airline.
Emirates invested US$ 1.5 million in the lounge, designed, equipped and furnished to the exacting specifications developed for Emirates lounges at 28 other major international airports around the world.
The 5,778-square-feet Emirates Lounge at the BIA can accommodate up to 118 passengers in comfort. It is for the exclusive use of the airline’s First Class and Business Class passengers and Gold members of Skywards, Emirates’ frequent flyer programme.
The lounge features 58 leather armchairs, a dining area for 54 people, a Business Centre with seating for six, an outdoor terrace overlooking airside with seating, a well-stocked bar, a TV viewing area with the choice of most of the international channels, a dedicated prayer room, shower facilities and washrooms for males, females and those with special needs. It offers buffet dining for all meals and Wi-Fi facilities.
Colombo was the fourth destination on the Emirates network, when the airline launched services to Sri Lanka in April 1986.
Now Emirates flies to 123 destinations, linking Sri Lanka by air to 72 countries on six continents.
The airline now operates 28 flights a week from Colombo, 14 direct to Dubai, seven via Male to Dubai and daily flights to Singapore, offering First, Business and Economy Class services to and from the destination.
BDST: 1715 HRS, JUN 19, 2012
Edited by:
Mohammed Humayun Kabir, Sr Newsroom Editor
M. Mahbub Alam, Asst Output Editor
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