Srilankan Airlines Logo PNG
The SriLankan Airlines logo, shimmering with color, represents the beauty and diversity of Sri Lanka against a backdrop of a beautiful sky and ocean. As it flies around the world, the company aims to convey the uniqueness of its homeland.
Sri Lankan Airlines traces its history to Air Ceylon, founded on 10 December 1947 after Ceylon gained independence from the British Empire. The carrier was created as a joint venture between the Ceylon government and Australian National Airways, reflecting the country’s attempt to build its own aviation network. In 1951, Air Ceylon operated its first international flight to Madras, now Chennai, using a Douglas C-47 Skytrain.
During the 1960s, Air Ceylon expanded across Asia and the Middle East while updating its fleet for longer routes. Financial and operational problems led to its closure in 1978. The Sri Lankan government then established Air Lanka as part of broader economic reforms. On 1 September 1979, the new airline began operations with a Colombo-to-Bangkok flight on a leased Boeing 707.
In the 1980s, Air Lanka grew despite domestic political tensions and added aircraft such as the Lockheed L-1011 TriStar to its fleet for long-haul services. In 1998, Emirates acquired a 40% stake in Air Lanka and signed a 10-year management contract. In 1999, the carrier was renamed Sri Lankan Airlines, with a new aircraft livery and changes to passenger service.
Under Emirates management in the 2000s, the airline added Airbus A330 and A340 aircraft and expanded long-haul operations. In 2008, Emirates sold its stake back to the Sri Lankan government, returning the airline to full state control. In the 2010s, competition and financial pressure led to restructuring. On 1 May 2014, it joined OneWorld Global Aviation Alliance. From 2015 to 2019, route and cost changes continued, while in 2020, the airline adapted its operations to disruptions across global aviation.
Meaning and History
What is Srilankan Airlines?
This is Sri Lanka’s national carrier, based at Bandaranaike International Airport near the country’s capital, Colombo. The company offers an extensive route network covering destinations across South Asia, the Middle East, Southeast Asia, and Europe, which is key in developing tourism and trade on the island. The airline operates a modern fleet of narrow-body and wide-body aircraft, including the Airbus A320, Airbus A330, and Airbus A350, striving to provide its passengers with optimal comfort, service, and efficiency.
1979 – 1998
The company, which started as Sri Lanka’s flagship carrier, actively incorporates cultural symbols of its region into its branding. This dedication to local traditions is evident in the name and the logo design. The bold red letters of “Air Lanka” exude confidence and strength, highlighting the airline’s leading position in the national market.
The emblem’s central element is an image of the Indian peafowl, which is prevalent on the island of Sri Lanka and is considered one of the country’s symbols. The peacock in the logo represents an aspiration for flight and travel. The bird’s brightness and beauty in the logo reflect the magnificence and cultural diversity of Sri Lanka. The spread feathers with a unique pattern are styled attractively, making the image memorable.
Schematic lines in the logo design evoke associations with the precise and elegant structures of airplanes, complementing the image of the peacock and emphasizing the airline’s technical sophistication. This design symbolizes the flight of a metal bird over the paradisiacal landscapes of Sri Lanka, evoking dreams of distant travels.
In Sri Lankan culture, the peacock holds a deep symbolic meaning and is associated with longevity, love, and immortality. The choice of such a symbol for the logo is deliberate: it foretells the airline’s passenger affection and many years of successful operation.
1998 – today
After being acquired by Emirates, the airline received a new name and an updated logo that combines emblem elements in a dynamic, rapid fusion of colors and shapes. This update represents a new chapter in the company’s history, highlighting its ambitions and global reach.
The central element of the new logo is an image of a peacock, which has been completely redesigned to reflect modern design trends and corporate identity. The bird’s body is now depicted with an elegant wavy line that smoothly changes color from orange to red and then to green. These colors are deliberate: they correspond to the flag of Sri Lanka and symbolize the flame and passion of red, as well as the country’s lush greenery, emphasizing the airline’s roots. The dynamic of the peacock’s flight embodies the aspiration for new heights and growth.
At the bottom of the logo, the inscription “Srilankan” is rendered in soft aquatic tones reminiscent of ripples on the water’s surface. The smoothness of the font creates the impression that the inscription floats under the image of the peacock, which seems to have just emerged from the water, leaving behind a gentle stir. The blue and cyan shades of this part of the logo reflect the endless expanses of water surrounding the islands of Sri Lanka and the sky mirrored in these waters. The inscription’s color palette conveys a sense of calm while emphasizing the company’s boundless opportunities in the world of aviation transport.