Apr 26, 2011 (LBO) – Sri Lankan Airlines has hired 11 new pilots as it expands its fleet to meet increased demand for passenger and freight traffic after the end of the island’s 30-year ethnic war. Eleven young Sri Lankans have qualified to join SriLankan Airlines as pilots upon completion of training by the national carrier, a statement said.
SriLankan Airlines chairman Nishantha Wickremasinghe said the airline has to serve not only the booming tourism industry but the requirements of export and import industries as well.
“We also have to serve as a regional hub connecting South Asia with the world. For this, we have invested heavily in expanding our fleet, and we expect to acquire no less than seven aircraft this year alone, said Wickremasinghe.
The 11 pilots, who include four former flyers of the Sri Lanka Air Force, are the first batch to be awarded wings since 2009, the airline said.
Another batch is currently completing training and yet another has just been recruited.
SriLankan Airline carries over half of the travellers in to and out of the country.