Emirates ends SriLankan code share deal

“Code share arrangements between Emirates and SriLankan airlines will cease from tomorrow, with the expiry of the decade-long management agreement,” an Emirates spokesperson told Emirates Business.

“However, Emirates airlines will continue to serve Sri Lanka with 17 weekly flights to Colombo, connecting the country’s travellers to 100 global destinations via Dubai. And the flights will be operated using Emirates’ aircraft,” the spokesperson said.

The two airlines code share on flights to approximately 20 destinations.

Emirates has also fully completed realigning resources and services that were until now being shared by the two carriers.

 

With regard to shared services such as IT and reservations,
Emirates’ spokesperson said: “Mercator will continue to provide IT solutions to SriLankan Airlines, including Mars for airline reservations, Rapid for revenue accounting, Comet for outstation accounting, and Macs for airline check-in.”

SriLankan Airlines, meanwhile, had recently said it would cease to be a part of Emirates’ Skywards frequent flier programme (FFP) with the expiry of the management agreement.

The Colombo-based carrier last week announced the launch of its very own FFP – called SmiLes – starting from this Tuesday.

“Existing Skywards members will continue to have rewards and earn miles on Emirates and other Skywards partner airlines – United, Continental, South African, Kingfisher, Japan and Korean Airlines – and from the other leisure and lifestyle partners,” said Emirates’s spokesperson.

Emirates’ Senior Vice-President for the Skywards programme, Brian Labelle, meanwhile, had recently told Emirates Business that the ceasing of Skywards for SriLankan Airlines would “impact Emirates in a very minor way”.

“SriLankan Airline’s agreement with Skywards will expire with the ending of the airline’s management contract with Emirates at the end of March.

“Nevertheless, SriLankan will continue to honour Skywards reward tickets for 12 months from their date of issue up until March 30, 2008,” Labelle had said.

Emirates also does not fear a loss of any of its customer base for Skywards, according to Labelle.

“Our members remain part of Skywards and their benefits will all be intact.

“We do not believe the structure change will mean a loss of our members,” he pointed out.

SriLankan Airlines, on the other hand, said that all its current Skywards members holding mileage balances, will have the option of transferring their miles to the new SmiLes scheme.

Sri lankan

The Government of Sri Lanka has named Treasury Secretary P B Jayasundera as the new chairman of SriLankan Airlines, the Colombo-based carrier said on Friday in a statement to

The Sri Lankan Government, which will take over the day-to-day running of the carrier starting on Tuesday, holds 51.05 per cent shares in the carrier.

“Emirates, holding 43.63 per cent shares, will be represented by President Tim Clark, Gary Chapman (President, Group Services and Dnata) and Nigel Hopkins (Executive vice president, services department),” SriLankan Airlines said in the statement.