Emirates’ lounge at BIA joins premium class passengers in celebrating ‘Avurudu’

Airline to lay out a table of traditional Sri Lankan festive fare for premium passengers from 13 to 14 April

Colombo, 9 April: Traditional Sri Lankan culinary treats that evoke the essence of festive occasions on the island will greet Emirates’ premium passengers visiting the airline’s lounge at the Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) on 13 and 14 April. Emirates’ special lounge offering in Colombo coincides with the country’s celebration of Sinhala and Tamil New Year.

Marking the observance of ‘Avurudu’ when Sri Lankans celebrate the turn of the year and pay tribute to the sun for its role in a bountiful harvest, Emirates will lay out a table of uniquely Sri Lankan sweetmeats for departing First and Business Class passengers, enabling them to experience some of the classic confectionaries and dishes associated with a festival steeped in age-old customs and traditions.

The spread will include special menu items such as milk rice or ‘kiribath,’ ‘kokis,’ ‘mung kevum,’ ‘aluwa,’ ‘welithalapa’ and ‘peni walalu’ – all celebratory staples at auspicious events in Sri Lanka. A piquant Sri Lankan hot meal will also be served to passengers visiting the lounge at lunch time.

Emirates’ premium 5,778 square-foot dedicated lounge at the BIA opened in June 2012 for the use of First Class and Business Class passengers as well as members of select tiers of Skywards, the airline’s award-winning frequent flyer programme. The lounge can accommodate up to 118 passengers, providing a comfortable and relaxing setting for travelers to enjoy themselves before their trip. Featuring comfortable leather armchairs, a spacious dining area and Business Centre to catch up on work before flights, the Emirates Lounge also has a dedicated prayer room, shower facilities, and washrooms for the convenience of passengers.

Emirates operates 39 of its own airport lounges worldwide, including seven in Dubai and 32 at major airports worldwide, all of which are furnished with the same attention to detail and offer exceptional service. These airport lounges are one of the many ‘Fly better’ benefits that Emirates Premium Class customers can enjoy before flights.

Emirates launched operations to Sri Lanka in April 1986, and has over the past 38 years carried more than 12 million passengers to and from Colombo. The airline currently provides two direct daily flights to Colombo utilising the Boeing 777-300ER as well as an additional daily service via Male. It is the only international carrier to serve the country with First Class services – offering passengers world-class products and superior comfort in air and on-ground.

For more information, visit www.emirates.com/lk