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SriLankan Engineering converts Airbus A320 passenger aircraft to a cargo freighter for operator FitsAir
May, 14, 2021
SriLankan Engineering the engineering and maintenance arm of SriLankan Airlines, has entered into a strategic collaboration with UK-based Avensis Aviation to offer Maintenance (MRO) services for the embodiment of Passenger-to-Freighter (PTF) conversions for Airbus A320 and A330 aircraft.
The first output of this collaboration was the embodiment of a PTF conversion of an Airbus A320 aircraft for the operator FitsAir which was recently completed on time and within the budget.
SriLankan Engineering is an EASA approved MRO facility with major maintenance check capability at its base in Colombo, Sri Lanka. The expansion into aircraft modification and conversions is part of its strategy to rapidly develop its maintenance portfolio and thereby attract foreign airlines to Sri Lanka for maintenance services.
“With Covid restricting passenger travel, many airlines and aircraft leasing companies are converting passenger aircraft into cargo freighters. SriLankan Airlines has already converted its own aircraft and has the expertise to offer this service externally. The cargo conversion market is booming, and we are getting onboard at the right time. Avensis Aviation is the ideal partner for us as they bring in the modification approvals and the customer reach.” said Shevantha Weerasekera Head of Engineering for SriLankan Airlines.
“Avensis Aviation provides innovative and scalable aircraft conversion solutions ranging from its light ‘LEVIS’ Preighter conversion to ‘NAVIS’ full freighter conversion through its European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) approved modification,” said Rubin Flower (Director of Business Development Avensis Aviation).
Asitha Ranaweera Deputy Chief Officer for FitsAir stated, “Though it seemed a simple straightforward process, working remotely with a designer, covid protocols, regulatory compliances made the project slightly complicated. However, the Sri Lankan Engineering team has stood up to the task and performed well to deliver the aircraft in an excellent condition.”
The technical sales teams of SriLankan Engineering and Avensis will aggressively promote the aircraft conversion portfolio to attract more maintenance activity to Sri Lanka.
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Sri Lankan Airlines eyes Boeing aircraft maintenance
State-run SriLankan Airlines said it had inked a deal with aircraft maker Boeing which would lead to maintenance work on aircraft made by the American company.
“The new agreement would enable both parties to explore airframe maintenance, component maintenance, training, and other commercial opportunities,” SriLankan Airlines said.
SriLankan Airlines has a fleet of Airbus aircraft. SriLankan Engineering is certified to perform third party checks and maintenance of Airbus aircraft.
Earlier this month it started converting passenger aircraft to freighters in collaboration with UK based Avensis Aviation.
SriLankan has operated Boeing aircraft in the past including Boeing 737 and 747 aircraft. (Colombo/May20/2021)
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Air France is going to commence Paris ( CDG) to Colombo service during 2021/2022 winter season
The third new destination joining Air France’s network is Colombo’s Bandaranaike International (CMB). Flights will start on Nov. 1, operating 3X-weekly as a continuation of the service to Malé (MLE) in the Maldives. Boeing 787-9s will again be used on this route.
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This is a great score for CMB and shows confidence in Sri Lanka in a post covid era. I only hope Sri Lanka can really bring its covid numbers down way before then. An extension of the Maldives service sounds very low risk and should work out well load wise. I hope this does well. CMB should be high profile enough by now to attract atleast 1 major carrier from Europe.
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Air France Schedule
AF 268
Monday/Thursday/Saturday
CDG2E 1655
CMB 1110+1
789
13:45
01NOV21 24MAR22
Via MLE (2:05 Stop)
AF 268
Tuesday/Friday/Sunday
CMB 1250
CDG2E 1945
789
11:25
2NOV21 25MAR22
Non Stop
Source: GDS
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Few months ago, LOT Polish Airlines and Aeroflot were planning to resume direct flights to Colombo this year. Any update ?
It's been almost 19 years, French air carrier didn't serve direct flights to Colombo. The last French carrier served Colombo in 2001/2 and that was AOM French Airlines operated on Paris Orly-Colombo-Sydney-Noumea onboard DC10.
Its definately good news European Airlines are interested in Colombo route.
I am wondering why AF is changing CDG-MLE-CDG route to CDG-MLE-CMB-CDG. Is it because less demand for French travellors to the Maldives these days?Comment
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Thanks Aviational.
Aviational/umedhah - Colombo Flight Schedule are available on Air France Website. So that means Colombo route has been confirmed by AF?
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This is great news. It's good to have a Western European carrier providing service to Colombo again. I guess this is Skyteam's alternative to their previous KLM Colombo service, although the timings of this flight are not as convenient. The return flight particularly doesn't offer good onward connections and requires an overnight stay in Paris if travelling to North America.
Hopefully this will not prevent UL from starting their service to CDG. They should offer flights on Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and Saturday and partner with AF/KL/DL so there is daily service to CDG.Comment
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Srilankan Airlines to commence flights to Moscow
SriLankan Airlines will resume flights to the Russian capital, Moscow with a weekly scheduled flight between Colombo’s Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) and Moscow’s Domodedovo Airport (DME) from 30th July 2021.
Accordingly, SriLankan would commence its flights to Russia every Friday using an Airbus A330 configured for 269 economy and 28 business class seats.
The frequency of operation will be once a week, having a flight time of around 08 hours and 25 minutes.
Flight UL533 will depart Colombo at 22:20 hrs., landing at Moscow Domodedovo Airport at 04:30 hrs., with the return leg UL534 leaving Moscow at 19:15 hrs. the next day and landing back into Colombo at 06:05 hrs. on Sunday.
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COPE tells SriLankan Airlines to submit business plan within a month
Committee on Public Enterprises (COPE) Chairman MP Charitha Herath yesterday directed SriLankan Airlines Chairman Ashok Pathirage to submit a complete business plan within a month to make the National Carrier profitable.
The Committee also recommended to the Secretary to the Ministry of Tourism to study the current situation and submit a report at Ministerial level within a month.
The Committee further recommended that an expert committee be appointed to conduct a comprehensive study and submit a report as early as possible.
It was revealed at the COPE meeting that the loss of SriLankan Airlines Ltd. as of 31 March 2021 from the day it was taken over by the Government was Rs. 372,015 million.
The total loss of the company following taxes in the year 2020/21 was Rs. 45,674 million and the operating loss has also increased, COPE Chairman Herath said.
This was due to the impact of the prevailing COVID-19 situation, as well as rising costs of jet fuel, aircraft operating leasing costs and other operating leasing costs.
The Committee observed that the adverse capital conditions of the company had reached a critical level by 31 March 2021 and was therefore facing a problematic situation regarding its operations without the assistance of the Treasury.
The Committee observed that the Cabinet had approved for an additional investment of $ 500 million by 2020, of which $ 240 million had already been released to the company. The Committee also paid special attention to the manner in which the money was used.
The Committee also observed that a senior management officer serving at SriLankan Airlines as of 31 March 2021 receives a monthly salary of Rs. 3.1 million; 82 pilots receive a monthly salary of over Rs. 2 million; and another 142 pilots, 12 aeronautical engineers, nine engineering managers and three top management officers of SriLankan Airlines receive a monthly salary of between Rs. 1 million and Rs. 2 million.
The Chairman also pointed out the need to maintain this service as a national airline.
The Committee also revealed that SriLankan Airlines’ daily loss was Rs. 84 million and that a systematic plan was needed to make the company profitable.
The Committee commended SriLankan Airlines for reducing its cost by $ 66.9 million in 2019/20 and 2020/21.
Minister Mahinda Amaraweera, State Ministers Ajith Nivard Cabraal, D.V. Chanaka and Indika Anuruddha, MPs Rauff Hakeem, Patali Champika Ranawaka, Eran Wickramaratne, Harsha de Silva, S.M. Marikkar, Jagath Pushpa Kumara, Jayantha Samaraweera, Premnath C. Dolawatta, S.M. Marikkar and S. Rasamanikkam were present at this meeting.Comment
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SriLankan A330 to receive a Dalada Perahera sticker pasted on it.
SriLankan Airlines, which has been declared bankrupt and even recommended for closure, is planning to affix a sticker to the Kandy Dalada Perahera on one of the planes at a cost of Rs. 78 lakhs. It is planned to use an Airbus A330-300 4R-ALP aircraft for this purpose.
The stickers are to be obtained from the United States and the cost of the raw material alone is around Rs. 78 lakhs. Thereafter, it is planned to affix stickers on 6 more such aircraft.
Sri Lanka's dollar reserves are declining rapidly. Therefore, how reasonable is it to send money abroad for something that is not essential at the moment when even the essential goods imported by Sri Lanka are restricted? Is it fair for an airline that is so bankrupt and unable to pay even its salaries to use the money borrowed from the government treasury for such unnecessary activities without any hesitation? Employees are questioning whether the most important thing at the moment is to stick a parade sticker on an airplane.
(translated using Google Translate).
https://lankacnews.com/%e0%b6%9c%e0%...B3wsku3Pt2cmU0Comment
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