Sri Lanka Aviation

[banuthev]

This is really good news! We'd finally have a local competition for UL - FitsAir did publish a schedule on their website prior to the Lockdown adverting scheduled flights to TRZ and MAA from RML via. JAF which has tremendous potential.

I believe that they'd utilize the new A320 on medium haul routes... targeting South East Asia, Maldives and India... Flights to MLE, BKK,KUL,SIN and CGK via. HRI would also be a good move

I hope someone can let me know when Pax Ops would begin as I hope to be on their Inaugural flight

According to below source, FlyLankan received Gov approval to begin operations,.

The Current Covid-19 Situation in Sri Lanka

All flights of SriLankan airlines are currently grounded and are yet to become operational – Though this is expected to change in the coming days/weeks. SriLankan Airlines, the national carrier of Sri Lanka grounded its fleet in March 2020. The airline is yet to start back any operations.

Whilst SriLankan airlines have been grounded, a new startup, FlyLankan, received Government approval to begin operations.

http://www.lankaweb.com/news/items/2021/01/10/sri-lanka-to-open-all-international-airports-on-23rd-jan/

[Serendib]

There are planned efforts to sabotage SriLankan Airlines' attempts to purchase two cargo craft, 'Sri Lanka Mirror' learns.

It is reported that a prominent company engaged in air freight services is behind this conspiracy, and also gets insider support from some employees at SriLankan cargo.

The conspiracy stems from the fact that this company is planning to import one A320 and two A330s at competitive prices in the future, targeting freight services.

SriLankan Airlines says that this company had previously gotten together with officials of SriLankan cargo to deviate freight contracts towards them on the sly.

https://www.srilankamirror.com/biz/2...ions-exclusive

UL is planning to import one A320 and two A330 freighters.

[SHOCKWAVE]

UL is planning to import one A320 and two A330 freighters.

I think you misunderstood what the article is trying to say. Fact:UL doesn’t need anymore A320s when only 1 out of 7 is in-service.
Soo.......
“The conspiracy stems from the fact that this company is planning to import one A320 and two A330s at competitive prices in the future, targeting freight services”- wow, I wonder what other airline is trying to bring aircrafts and sabotage ULs projects? ?

[Serendib]

[B]

Is UL looking for possibilities to fly direct flights to Yangon?

SL explores possibility of charter flights to Myanmar

Sri Lanka may be able to commence charter flights to Myanmar from mid-2021, in the post COVID-19 phase to encourage tourism and trade links between the two countries, a statement from the Foreign Ministry said yesterday.

http://www.ft.lk/front-page/SL-explores-possibility-of-charter-flights-to-Myanmar/44-711712

[banuthev]

SL explores possibility of charter flights to Myanmar

Which aircraft will serve this route?

[banuthev]

Any idea I can't see any SriLankan Airlines direct flights between Bangkok and Colombo ? not even SriLankan Cargo flights to Bangkok these days.

[Aaqib]

SL explores possibility of charter flights to Myanmar

Not a good idea...they should look to boost frequencies to India

[Serendib]

Seven airlines announce plans to operate scheduled flights when airport reopens

A total of seven airlines have so far announced plans to operate scheduled flights once the airport reopens on 21 January, a top official said.

The international airlines are Emirates, Qatar Airways, Etihad, Turkish Airlines, Singapore Airlines, Kuwait Airways and Oman Air

However, the Civil Aviation Authority official said these airlines were yet to file their schedule of flights but were likely to do so by next week.

? - source: FT

http://www.ft.lk/front-page/Seven-airlines-announce-plans-to-operate-scheduled-flights-when-airport-reopens/44-711615

[Serendib]

Sri Lanka is in talks with major airlines

Sri Lanka is in talks with major airlines to resume passenger flights to the country.

Tourism Minister Prasanna Ranatunga said that discussions have been held with the country managers of international airlines.

“We have explained to them the system we will have in place when Sri Lanka reopens for tourists,” the Minister said during a post-cabinet press conference.

He said that the most recent discussion the Sri Lankan authorities had was with Emirates and they have shown interest in resuming flights to Sri Lanka.

Prior to the coronavirus pandemic 26 international passenger airlines flew to Sri Lanka.

He said that during the pandemic only seven passenger airlines flew to Sri Lanka.

Ranatunga said that any passenger airline can fly to Sri Lanka once the borders reopen while private jets and cruise ships will also be able to bring passengers to the country.

Over 50 hotels will be out of bounds for locals when Sri Lanka reopens its borders for tourists from 21 January.

Speaking to hoteliers during an online discussion on Friday,

Kimarli Fernando, Chairperson, Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority (SLTDA) said that beach areas adjoining these hotels will be cordoned off to prevent interaction between locals and foreign tourists.(EASWARAN RUTNAM)

Source:daily mirror

[Serendib]

We were happy to warmly welcome Oman Airlines , WY 371 at #BIA early this morning with 50 Sri Lankan passengers.

This was the first flight operated to Sri Lanka after Sri Lanka ?? reopened the borders today - 21/01/2021

Source BIA Facebook

[banuthev]

SriLankan Airlines is planning to start flights to Moscow

SL Gov has given approval to Ethiopian Airlines and Maldivian Airlines to start direct flights to Colombo Airport. I can see scheduled flights are only going to be operated by SriLankan Airlines, Singapore Airlines, Emirates, Etihad, Qatar Airways and Oman Air.

Any idea if any other airlines going to operate scheduled flights to Colombo?

[banuthev]

SriLankan Airlines Feb21 Passenger & Cargo Flights

PASSENGER FLIGHTS
DESTINATION	FLIGHT	FREQUENCY	AFT
DAMMAM	UL1507	3.6	A321NEO
DHAKA	UL189	3.5.7	EQV
DOHA	UL217	1.2.4.5	EQV
DUBAI	UL225	1.2.3.4.5.6.7	EQV
DUBAI	UL231	2.3.5.7	EQV
FRANKFURT	UL553	3.7	A333
GUANGZHOU	UL880	3	A332
JAKARTA	UL1364	1	A321NEO
KARACHI	UL183	1.4.6	EQV
SINGAPORE-KUALA LUMPUR	UL320	1	A333
KUWAIT	UL229	3.7	A333
LAHORE	UL185	1.4	A320/A333
LONDON	UL503	1.4	A333
MALE-LONDON	UL505	2.6	A333
MALE'	UL101	1.2.3.4.5.6.7	A333
MALE'	UL115	1.2.3.4.5.6.7	EQV
MALE'	UL103	1.2.3.4.5.6.7	EQV
MELBOURNE	UL604	3.5	A333
MILANO	UL1207	4.6	A333
RIYADH	UL1263	2.4.7	A333
SEOUL	UL470	2	A332
SHANGHAI	UL866	5	A333
SINGAPORE	UL302	3.5	A333
SYDNEY	UL606	3.5	A333
TOKYO	UL454	3.5	A333
CARGO FLIGHTS
DESTINATION	FLIGHT	FREQUENCY	AFT
MUMBAI	UL1041	2	EQV
MUMBAI	UL1043	7	EQV
HONG KONG	UL1422	7	EQV
CHENNAI	UL1025	6	EQV
CHENNAI	UL1029	3	EQV

[Aaqib]

SriLankan Airlines is planning to start flights to Moscow

SL Gov has given approval to Ethiopian Airlines and Maldivian Airlines to start direct flights to Colombo Airport. I can see scheduled flights are only going to be operated by SriLankan Airlines, Singapore Airlines, Emirates, Etihad, Qatar Airways and Oman Air.

Any idea if any other airlines going to operate scheduled flights to Colombo?

Great to see them being interested in serving CMB. UL has lost the opportunity as usual

[banuthev]

SriLankan flies to Russia twice a week

SriLankan Airlines has decided to resume flights to Moscow, Russia.

It is reported that it is preparing to start flights to Moscow twice a week from mid-February.

SriLankan Airlines' UL531 flights to Moscow were suspended in 2014.

[dilushasg-bdavi]

SriLankan flies to Russia twice a week

SriLankan Airlines has decided to resume flights to Moscow, Russia.

It is reported that it is preparing to start flights to Moscow twice a week from mid-February.

SriLankan Airlines' UL531 flights to Moscow were suspended in 2014.

DME again should be the choice. S7 Airlines (OneWorld member) also based at DME offers a healthy amount of connections to mainland Europe. If UL can start a codeshare agreement with them, that would be nice.