Pronunciation: [ˈe͡ə se͡ɪlˈɒn] (IPA) 
The spelling of the word "air ceylon" is not necessarily intuitive. The first word, "air," is spelled as expected, with the "a" sound represented by /ɛər/. The second word, "ceylon," may be unfamiliar to some, as it is an older spelling for the island nation now known as Sri Lanka. The pronunciation of "ceylon" is represented by /sɪˈlɒn/, with the stress on the second syllable and the "o" sound pronounced as /ɒ/ (like "lot").
Air Ceylon refers to the former national airline of Sri Lanka, known as Ceylon before the country's name changed to Sri Lanka in 1972. Established in 1947, Air Ceylon played a significant role in shaping the aviation industry in Sri Lanka. The airline was a government-owned entity that operated domestic and international flights.
Air Ceylon's primary objective was to provide air transportation services to the people of Sri Lanka, connecting them with various destinations within the country and around the world. The airline fleet consisted of various types of aircraft, including propeller-driven planes such as the Douglas DC-3, as well as jet aircraft like the Hawker Siddeley Trident.
As a national carrier, Air Ceylon aimed to promote tourism, facilitate trade, and enhance communication between Sri Lanka and the rest of the world. The airline prioritized customer service and strived to provide a comfortable and safe flying experience to its passengers.
However, due to financial difficulties and increasing competition from other airlines, Air Ceylon faced challenges in sustaining its operations. The airline eventually ceased operations in 1979, and its routes and assets were taken over by the newly established national carrier, Air Lanka (now known as SriLankan Airlines).
Today, Air Ceylon remains a historical reference to the aviation industry in Sri Lanka, symbolizing the country's aspirations in the early years of commercial air travel.
The term "Air Ceylon" does not have a specific etymology as it is a combination of two separate words: "air" and "Ceylon".
1. "Air" comes from the Old French word "air" which means "atmosphere" or "the invisible gases surrounding the earth". It ultimately has its roots in the Latin word "aer" or "air".
2. "Ceylon" is the former name of the island nation south of India, which is now known as Sri Lanka. The word "Ceylon" is believed to have originated from the Tamil word "Ilankai" or "Helankarika", meaning "the land of the Ilam people".
When combined, "Air Ceylon" refers to the national airline of Sri Lanka, which was in operation from 1947 to 1978.
