SriLankan Airlines’ “Dial-a-Ticket” service is now a popular and hassle-free method for people in remote areas to arrange their air travel.

The airline is carrying out a series of ‘road shows’ in the Central, Southern, and Uva Provinces to create greater awareness of the convenience of the service.

Ranjit De Silva, Manager Marketing Services at SriLankan, said: “The National Carrier emphasises service to the people, and Dial-A-Ticket is an excellent example. It is in the spirit of our promise that passengers can ‘Stay at Home till you get there’ which is all about convenience for our customers.”

The airline carried its first road show in September in Dambulla and Galewella, distributing flyers and carrying out demonstrations of the service. More road shows are planned in the next several weeks in Kalutara, Beruwela, Galle, Weligama, Tangalle, Matara, Haputale, Bandarawela, Badulla, Welimada, Nuwara Eliya, and Talawakelle.

Shyamalie Jayasekera, Passenger Sales Operations Manager, said: “Customers in rural areas throughout the country are using this service heavily. Volumes in the past 12 months are 5% above our targets.”

“As an outstation passenger, I am very impressed and satisfied with the service,” said N. Mohanraj.

Prasanna Gopal, another passenger who used the service said “Your new ticket purchasing system was very useful and hassle free. Above all it’s the friendly voices at your end of the telephone that made me really comfortable, and I made my reservations with ease.”

“Dial-A-Ticket” was launched last year in partnership with the Bank of Ceylon, Sri Lanka’s largest banking network. People from anywhere in Sri Lanka simply dial the airline’s Call Centre on 019733-5500. The staff, who speak English, Sinhala, and Tamil, provide flight details to any destination and make the booking for them.

The passenger pays the fare at any of the 293 online branches of the Bank of Ceylon, noting on the deposit slip the reference number given by SriLankan Airlines. The simple process is then complete, and the ticket is sent to the customer by post, fax or e-mail, as preferred by the passenger. Or it can be collected at the SriLankan Airlines Ticket Office at Bandaranaike International Airport.

December 14th 2007