Maldivian and SriLankan Airlines were among the leading winners in the airline and aviation categories at the 10th edition of the South Asian Travel Awards (SATA) 2026. Maldivian won Leading Tourist Transport Provider (Airline), while SriLankan Airlines took the Visitors’ Choice Award for Leading International Airline. The Maldives, Sri Lanka and Bhutan also earned top honours in the Visitors’ Choice destination categories.
The milestone SATA 2026 Grand Gala was held at Barceló Nasandhura Malé and brought together leading tourism and hospitality professionals from across South Asia and the wider region. The awards recognise excellence across the region’s travel and hospitality sector, and this year’s edition marked a decade of the programme.
In the transport segment, Maldivian was named Gold Winner in the Leading Tourist Transport Provider (Airline) category, while Trans Maldivian Airways took Gold in the Leading Tourist Transport Provider (Seaplane) category. SriLankan Airlines won the Visitors’ Choice Award for Leading International Airline.
The Visitors’ Choice Awards also recognised the region’s top destinations. The Maldives was named Leading Adventure Destination, Sri Lanka won Leading Wellness Destination, and Bhutan took Leading Heritage Destination.
The Maldives also dominated the aviation services categories. Ace Aviation Services Maldives won Gold for Leading General Sales Agent (GSA), Villa Travels & Tours Maldives took Gold for Leading Passenger Sales Agent (PSA), and Avia Maldives Pvt Ltd won Gold for Leading Supervision Agent (General Aviation Service).
Among the Silver Winners, Advantis Aviation Services, Sri Lanka, was recognised in two categories: Leading General Sales Agent (GSA) and Leading Passenger Sales Agent (PSA). IFOS Aviation Group India took Silver in the Leading Passenger Sales Agent (PSA) category. In the Leading Supervision Agent (General Aviation Service) category, Continuum Aviation, India, and Smooth Flight Support, Sri Lanka, were the Silver Winners.
