Sri Lankan Prez hails Air India, crew

Sri Lankan President Maithripala Sirisena has appreciated the services of the state-run carrier Air India and hailed its cabin crew for being "extremely courteous and efficient" during his trips in March to New Delhi and Japan on a state visit.

The President's appreciation was conveyed to Air India's country manager for Sri Lanka in Colombo Alice Joe Paul in a letter on May 11 by chief of protocol for secretary(foreign affairs) M R Hassen.

"The President has instructed me to convey his sincere appreciation and thanks to you and your able and efficient staff in Colombo as well as general manager of Air India, New Delhi and his staff for the excellent courtesies and assistance extended to Maithripala Sirisena and the delegation. It was the President's first time to travel with Air India and it was fantastic," Hassen said in his letter.

"The Air India flight cabin crew was extremely courteous and efficient and kept our delegation comfortable during the flight to New Delhi and Narita, Japan," he added.

The President flew to Delhi on March 10 in AI 282 and from Delhi to Narita on March 11 in AI 306.

The appreciation from a head of state comes at a time when the ailing disinvestment-bound airline is seeking to improve its passenger-friendly image.

To check passenger-related complaints, senior officials of the airline are carrying out visits to the airports to assess the problems faced by passengers and correct anomalies.