Business
Singapore Airlines awarded highest Diamond rating in global airline health and safety audit
Singapore Airlines (SIA) has been awarded the Diamond rating – the highest level attainable – in the APEX Health Safety powered by SimpliFlying audit of global airlines.
Aitken Spence is the General Sales Agency (GSA) for Singapore Airlines in Sri Lanka and is the longest standing GSA representation in the Singapore Airlines network worldwide. At present Singapore Airlines operates three flights a week to Singapore with flights on every Monday, Wednesday and Saturday.
The audit, which was jointly conducted by industry body Airline Passenger Experience Association (APEX) and aviation strategy firm SimpliFlying, involved a quantitative 58-point checklist covering 10 categories. These included testing, tracing, on-the-ground procedures, in-flight measures and partnerships to further enhance safety integrity.
The diamond rating is the highest achievable level for the audit, marking at least 200 points above the minimum gold standard determined by APEX and SimpliFlying for passenger safety and well-being. Standards are based on independently verified, validated, and certified airline passenger health safety measures.
Yeoh Phee Teik, Senior Vice President Customer Experience, Singapore Airlines, said: “Early in the Covid-19 pandemic, we undertook a comprehensive review of our health and safety measures together with our partners and regulators, in consultation with medical experts, and by taking on board customer feedback.
“Our teams deep-dived into many check points along the end-to-end customer journey. We reinforced existing procedures where necessary, enhanced some of them, introduced new measures to supplement them, and used digital technologies to complement them and support a more seamless travel experience.
“Receiving the Diamond status in this audit is a recognition of this unwavering commitment to safeguarding the well-being of our customers and staff in all areas of our operations. Singapore Airlines is renowned for our industry-leading product and service, and we will continue to ensure that world-class health and safety standards remain an integral part of our brand promise.”
Dr. Joe Leader, CEO of APEX, said: “Singapore Airlines’ commitment to customer well-being shines via a contactless journey management bolstered by best-in-class onboard hygiene. As a Diamond health safety certified airline, Singapore Airlines has gone a step beyond investing in their passengers’ wellness by implementing the latest advances in testing and health passport technology.”
Shashank Nigam, CEO of SimpliFlying, said: “Singapore Airlines has raised the bar for health safety standards in the industry with initiatives such as near-touch check-in kiosks, mobile notifications for baggage delays and digitisation of in-flight menus and magazines. Taking hospital-grade measures in ensuring health safety will help bolster trust among travellers.”
Health and safety when travelling with Singapore Airlines
SIA has introduced comprehensive health and safety measures to ensure the well-being of our customers and staff members. Pre-departure measures include basic passenger health assessments, as well as contactless services such as mobile check-in and digital in-flight menus.
SIA regularly applies anti-microbial coating on high-touch surfaces including areas in the lounges, as well as various sections of the aircraft cabin including the lavatories. On selected aircraft, electrostatic spraying machines containing a disinfecting agent are used to sanitise the cabin.
During the flight, SIA requires all customers and staff members to wear masks unless they are eating or drinking. Cabin crew are also required to wear goggles, as well as gloves when necessary, while interacting with our customers. They are also required to be in protective gowns on flights from certain sectors.
While all physical newspapers and magazines have been removed, SIA offers customers a free e-Library via their personal tablets and mobile devices that provides access to more than 1,000 global publications. Meal services have been simplified to reduce contact, but SIA has managed to reintroduce favourites such as its satay and garlic bread for premium classes within one tray.
All SIA aircraft are equipped with High Efficiency Particulate Air (HEPA) filters, which remove more than 99.9% of particles including airborne viruses and bacteria in the cabin. The cabin air is refreshed every two to three minutes throughout the flight. Post-flight, headsets, headrest covers, pillow covers, bedsheets and blankets are replaced. Linens are washed at high temperatures to disinfect them after every use.
The Singapore Airlines precautionary measures e-brochure can be found at this link: https://www.singaporeair.com/saar5/pdf/travel-info/covid19/Singapore-Airlines-Precautionary-Measures-e-Brochure-7June20.pdf, and more information on SIA’s health and safety measures can be found at this link: https://www.singaporeair.com/en_UK/sg/travel-info/covid19-measures/
In December, SIA also launched trials on a digital health verification process, the first in the world to be based on the International Air Transport Association’s Travel Pass framework. This allows customers to securely store and present information related to Covid-19 tests, as well as their vaccination status in the future. This helps to support the industry’s safe and calibrated recovery from the Covid-19 pandemic.
Company stresses ambition to surpass this milestone
Eyes markets across Africa and beyond
In a groundbreaking achievement for Sri Lanka’s IT and electronics manufacturing industry, EWIS Colombo Ltd, the country’s first and only local computer manufacturer, has successfully exported its first consignment of locally built laptops to Zimbabwe.
This landmark event not only positions Sri Lanka as an emerging force in global IT hardware manufacturing but also highlights EWIS’s commitment to innovation, quality, and excellence on the international stage.
This historic shipment, dispatched from EWIS’s state-of-the-art manufacturing facility in Samajasewapura, Sooriyawewa, underscores the company’s dedication to delivering world-class technology solutions. With over 11 years of expertise in manufacturing and assembly, EWIS Colombo Ltd has played a pivotal role in driving Sri Lanka’s ICT sector forward. As a Board of Investment (BOI) Section 17-approved company, EWIS has established the country’s first and only local computer manufacturing plant, paving the way for the nation’s growth in high-tech exports.
Speaking on this momentous achievement, Sanjeewa Wickramanayake, Chairman of EWIS Colombo Ltd, said: “This milestone is not just for EWIS but for Sri Lanka as a whole. It proves that our country has the talent, capability, and ambition to manufacture and export high-quality IT products, competing confidently on the global stage. As we continue expanding beyond local markets, we take immense pride in showcasing Sri Lanka’s excellence in technology and innovation to the world. EWIS’s commitment to world-class quality is reinforced by its ISO 9001:2015, ISO 14001:2015, CE, FCC, and RoHS certifications, ensuring compliance with international quality, safety, and environmental standards.”
Speaking further he said:
“For nearly four decades, EWIS has been a trailblazer in Sri Lanka’s ICT sector, delivering cutting-edge solutions for education, businesses, and government enterprises.
With over 11 years of local manufacturing and assembly expertise, EWIS has continuously refined its capabilities to produce high-quality, internationally competitive IT hardware. The successful export to Zimbabwe represents a bold step toward expanding EWIS’s global footprint, reinforcing Sri Lanka’s potential as a world-class technology and manufacturing hub.”
The International Institute of Health Sciences (IIHS), a pioneer in healthcare training for over 23 years, has partnered with the University of Surrey, UK, to revolutionise healthcare education in Sri Lanka and the broader South Asian region. This will create a world-class academic pathway for aspiring nursing and healthcare professionals, as well as young individuals seeking careers in the field. Under this agreement, IIHS and the University of Surrey will introduce a series of academic initiatives to enhance healthcare training and accessibility.
These include delivering internationally recognised nursing programmes that allow Sri Lankan and regional students to earn globally competitive qualifications in Sri Lanka.
Commenting on the move, Dr. Kithsiri Edirisinghe, CEO & Dean of Undergraduate Studies at IIHS, said: “This MOU marks a significant step in our mission to deliver world-class healthcare education to Sri Lanka and the region. IIHS remains dedicated to shaping the future of healthcare professionals and fostering global healthcare leadership.” Dr. Shelini Surendran, Associate Dean (International) at the University of Surrey, emphasised: “Sri Lanka is establishing itself as a regional education hub, and this partnership ensures students across Asia can access top-tier UK healthcare education at IIHS. By bridging academic excellence with accessibility, we provide students with a clear pathway to their professional goals.”
Dialog Television, Sri Lanka’s #1 Pay-TV service provider, has partnered with Emerging Media to enhance the convenience and effectiveness of advertising. This collaboration brings together Dialog Television’s world-class entertainment, featuring 18 advertisable channels across genres such as movies, edutainment, kids, music, sports, and local content, with Emerging Media’s expertise in digital advertising and targeted marketing. This synergy creates a seamless platform for businesses to maximize brand exposure across multiple channels.
With a reach of over 1.7 million households, Dialog Television provides advertisers with a powerful avenue to engage diverse audiences. Brands can place advertisements on leading international and local channels such as &flix, Star Movies, TLC, Animal Planet, AXN, Zee Café, Comedy Central, Star Plus, A+, Nickelodeon, Star Vijay, Zee Tamil, Star Sports, Ten Cricket, Sony SIX, ThePapare TV, Channel One, Citi Hitz and Channel C. Through this partnership, Emerging Media will facilitate advertising sales, allowing businesses to target specific viewer segments while simplifying the media buying process with a single point of contact.
Commenting on the partnership, Lim Li San, Group Chief Operating Officer at Dialog Axiata PLC, stated, “As Sri Lanka’s premier Pay-TV service provider, we serve more than 1.7 million households with over 6 million pairs of captive eyeballs across Sri Lanka. Today, we are excited to embark on this partnership with Emerging Media to avail our Dialog Television platform and brand strength to provide quality advertisement exposure and customer engagement to local businesses across Sri Lanka.”
LG polls: Sajith spurns UNP’s March 20 deadline
Ranil rejects Batalanda report wholesale
Gary Anandasangaree Canada’s new Justice Minister and Attorney General
-
Foreign News2 days agoSearch continues in Dominican Republic for missing student Sudiksha Konanki
-
News5 days agoAlfred Duraiappa’s relative killed in Canada shooting
-
Features4 days agoRichard de Zoysa at 67
-
Editorial6 days agoGhosts refusing to fade away
-
Midweek Review5 days agoRanil in Head-to-Head controversy
-
Features4 days agoSL Navy helping save kidneys
-
Features6 days agoThe Gypsies…one year at a time
-
Latest News3 days agoDebutant Madara, Athapaththu fashion Sri Lanka women’s first T20I win in New Zealand