Sri Lanka Aviation

[Serendib]

Good move by TK! Long waited for TK to start Nonstop flights between Istanbul and Colombo. Hopefully TK will increase CMB nonstop flights to Daily?

Really Interesting TK stopping flights between MLE and CMB effec Oct23. May be currently MLE-CMB sector is being operated with number of airlines (UL, 8D, GF, OD, EK FZ). EY will operate AUH-MLE-CMB x6 weekly B789 in coming month/s.

Turkish Airlines nonstop flights from October

Turkish Airlines has unveiled plans to start direct flights from Istanbul to Colombo from 30 October, targeting the peak season.The move comes after 11 years of its service to Sri Lanka. Previously, the airline had a stopover in Male before arriving in Colombo.

With the dedicated flight from Turkey to Sri Lanka, the airline said 100% seat capacity will be committed to Colombo, which will enable the airline to bring more tourists from Europe to Sri Lanka.

Airline said with legged flight over Male, they were unable to fully utilise their network connectivity, but with the direct flight to Colombo they will utilise it to boost arrivals from Europe, the US and Canada.

With only a few hours connection from Istanbul Airport, the airline is keen to now optimise its connectivity to bring in passengers from Canada, UK, US, and Europe.

https://www.ft.lk/front-page/Turkish...ober/44-748449

[Ceylon Air]

Any news about leasing A330 and A321?

[banuthev]

Any news about leasing A330 and A321?

UL is currently operating with only 16 aircraft. Hope they make decision on additional aircraft soon.

Below aircraft seems withdrawn from service or retired
4R-ALA
4R-ALB
4R-ABM
4R-ABQ

Any update on returning 4R-ANA, 4R-AND, ANE, ANF back to service?

[banuthev]

Qatar Airways is going to add 5th Daily Flight to Colombo effective 2 July 2023. It seems we will see QR operating these aircraft to Colombo from July: 1 x A320 , 1 x B787, 3 x A333

Does Qatar- Sri Lanka have open skies policy? Amazing to see most flights are operating on this route.

Which aircraft are being used on QR flight to Colombo these days?

[banuthev]

Sri Lanka and Myanmar have launched talks to establish direct air connectivity between the two countries.

Hi Aaqib, Is it good idea if Myanmar Airways flying YGN-MAA-CMB ?

[Serendib]

Any news about leasing A330 and A321?

At this moment, UL have at least confirmed on five narrow bodies and two A330s. Next two to three months, acquiring at least seven aircraft in the first phase.

The airline currently has a fleet of 22 aircraft, out of which four are grounded due to delays in procuring required spare parts,

Pathirage said the biggest challenge SriLankan is facing at the moment is its inadequate fleet, which impedes operating flights on new routes and increasing frequencies to destinations the airline is already flying, where there is demand for additional flights.

[Ceylon Air]

At this moment, UL have at least confirmed on five narrow bodies and two A330s. Next two to three months, acquiring at least seven aircraft in the first phase.

The airline currently has a fleet of 22 aircraft, out of which four are grounded due to delays in procuring required spare parts,

Pathirage said the biggest challenge SriLankan is facing at the moment is its inadequate fleet, which impedes operating flights on new routes and increasing frequencies to destinations the airline is already flying, where there is demand for additional flights.

Good to hear finally some progress. Will SriLankan refixed cabin interior for incoming fleet? . A330's 200 or 300 variant?

[Aaqib]

Hi Aaqib, Is it good idea if Myanmar Airways flying YGN-MAA-CMB ?

I feel that would be a good move to operate 5th Freedom Flights between MAA and CMB as I doubt Myanmar alone would yield a high load factor

Any idea what aircraft they’d be operating? They do have A319’s which would be a good aircraft to deploy

[Serendib]

AirAsia to launch “Colombo-Bangkok” direct flights from July

AirAsia’s Colombo, Sri Lanka - Bangkok Don Mueang direct flight will operate 4 times a week on Mon, Wed, Fri and Sun Flight FD141 will depart Bandaranaike International Airport (CMB) at 11.00 p.m. to arrive at Don Mueang Airport (DMK) in Bangkok, Thailand at 04.05 a.m. the following day. Flight FD140 departs Bangkok Don Mueang (DMK) at 7.45 p.m. to arrive in Bandaranaike International Airport (CMB), Colombo Sri Lanka at 10.00 p.m

[Gayan28]

AirAsia to launch “Colombo-Bangkok” direct flights from July

AirAsia’s Colombo, Sri Lanka - Bangkok Don Mueang direct flight will operate 4 times a week on Mon, Wed, Fri and Sun Flight FD141 will depart Bandaranaike International Airport (CMB) at 11.00 p.m. to arrive at Don Mueang Airport (DMK) in Bangkok, Thailand at 04.05 a.m. the following day. Flight FD140 departs Bangkok Don Mueang (DMK) at 7.45 p.m. to arrive in Bandaranaike International Airport (CMB), Colombo Sri Lanka at 10.00 p.m

Finally a low-cost carrier from Bangkok.
We need one from Singapore too.

[banuthev]

Finally a low-cost carrier from Bangkok.
We need one from Singapore too.

Fitsair better launch Singapore asap before competitor enters in Colombo-Singapore route.

I wonder what delays Fitsair's launch to Singapore as they have already sufficient fleet to expand?

[banuthev]

I feel the target market would be mostly onward traffic to South East Asia

KUL should remain on the cards for FitsAir….Bangkok (DMK) would be a good market to venture in to, not forgetting AirAsia’s strength in the region

Sustaining the above routes may prove to be challenging

Hi Aaqib,

Do you think Fitsair's plan of launching Bangkok affected after announcement of AirAsia resuming DMK-CMB route?

I guess Fitsair better speedup the launching of new destinstions quickly as it seems International airlines are starting to resume flights to Colombo Airport in coming months. What do you think?

Fitsair also better think about Jeddah route as its not being served by any Airlines currently. How Fitsair can make Jeddah work out with A320ceo?

[banuthev]

I feel that would be a good move to operate 5th Freedom Flights between MAA and CMB as I doubt Myanmar alone would yield a high load factor

Any idea what aircraft they’d be operating? They do have A319’s which would be a good aircraft to deploy

Does India allow 5th Freedom flights? I haven't noticed any international airline operating any passenger-flight with 5th freedom out of india.

[Serendib]

Sri Lanka's FitsAir mulls narrowbody options, to add ATRs

Bolstered by its early success as a revamped, passenger-focused carrier, FitsAir has revived plans to add ATR72s but is also thinking about growing its narrowbody fleet, Vice-President (Passenger) Peter Hill told ch-aviation in an exclusive interview.

[banuthev]

Sri Lanka's FitsAir mulls narrowbody options, to add ATRs

Bolstered by its early success as a revamped, passenger-focused carrier, FitsAir has revived plans to add ATR72s but is also thinking about growing its narrowbody fleet, Vice-President (Passenger) Peter Hill told ch-aviation in an exclusive interview.

It seems Fitsair have dropped the plan of adding Q400s to the fleet?

What are your thoughts of Fitsair expanding into India and the Maldives with ATRs?