Srilankan Airlines takes steps to block swine flu

Captain Milinda Ratnayake, Head of Service Delivery, said:

"We'd like to reassure our passengers that there is no cause for alarm. SriLankan Airlines does not operate to North America where the disease has reached epidemic proportions. However, we are an airline that has a proud tradition of safeguarding our passengers throughout our network. We also take our role as Sri Lanka's National Carrier very seriously, and will do out utmost to protect the interests of all Sri Lankans."

The airline has in the recent past taken similar precautions during the SARS and Bird Flu epidemics, although no cases of either disease were ever detected in Sri Lanka.

SriLankan's Company Medical Officer, Dr. Anomi Jayasinghe, said: "We are closely monitoring the situation and taking every possible precautionary measure. We are working with health and immigration authorities in every country that we fly, to ensure that we give them the maximum assistance in preventing the spread of the disease.

SriLankan is also closely following the advice of the World Health Organization (WHO) and the International Air Transport Association (IATA) on the Swine Flu epidemic."

All of SriLankan's aircraft are fitted with modern air filtration systems that have HEPA filters which trap particles including bacteria. The ventilation system also restricts the movement of air around the cabin, by pumping air in from the ceiling and drawing it out at floor level - so it has a downward circulation pattern, and not along the length of the aircraft.

Manager Inflight Service Delivery, Rashmore Ferdinands, said: "Our cabin crew and our staff at airports around Europe and Asia have been given special instructions with regard to Swine Flu. We firmly believe that awareness will be a key factor in preventing the spread of this disease."

Sri Lanka's authorities have set up a special Health Desk at Colombo's Bandaranaike International Airport, and issued special forms for passengers to fill on arrival. Notices have also been displayed in several languages to create awareness among passengers on the disease.

SriLankan has a network covering 38 cities in 25 countries in Europe, the Middle East, Subcontinent, and the Far East.