Plane Spotting & Flight Reports

IMG_1090.jpg IMG_1084.jpg

Hello everyone, here are more pics from trip to ICN from ATL, Unfortunately I didn't take any photos at KUL and CMB unfortunately, i packed my charger in my checked in luggage, not my hand luggage, I did not realise this until I got to KUL where I had to charge my phone, since I was tired from the long trip, around 23 hours and dealing with jet lag, i decided against retrieving it and finding a charging spot. So I just went to sleep for an hour before checking in on AK to CMB.

Again, I'm very sorry. but I hope these photos will make up for it, Thanks.

Regards,
Sien

Don't worry ! I can feel how much tiring will be. nice to know you've arrived at CMB safely!
When you have time please share us with a list of aircrafts/airlines you saw at CMB? Hope you saw the UL A321neos? Any progression in T2 construction? How's the passenger load on KE (ATL-ICN), MH (ICN-KUL), & AK (KUL-CMB)?

Yes, I saw airlines like GF,SU,UL,FZ,QR,EY and EK parked at their respective gates. I also saw an unmarked 737 freighter which I assume belongs to BBN Airlines of Indonesia?

Yeah, I saw UL's A321N parked at a remote gate, I couldn't really get a look at the hanger unfortunately

I believe there isn't any progress on T2's construction? correct me if i'm wrong but it looked the same to me since when i was last here.

Passenger load on KE 35 was almost 85 to 90 percent, and MH39 was about 80 percent and AK45 was about 80 to 85 percent.

Nice to know all the gates were occupied by the flights. It shows air traffic have been increased at CMB recently. Did you see QR aircraft or Oman Air aircraft operating QR flight?

I heard only minor construction work going on for T2. Saw on Google Earth kind of concrete flooring already done for the terminal. Please correct me if am wrong?

Any improvement in interior of CMB? When i fly last time found out-dated.

Which apron the unmarked B73F was parked?

I saw Oman Air aircraft operating QRs flight while i was at CMB, I am not really knowledgeable about CMB's layout so I have no idea where it was parked but I will try and make an educated guess, but I did see it near the gates. It was near the refueling/cargo terminal If i'm not mistaken..

No improvement in the interior, they really need to change the ceiling panels, they look molded honestly, I hope once T2 opens they will shut T1 down for a few weeks to do some renovations before finally opening it back up again.

I agree, CMB needs T2 to be completed without further delay. When I fly last time I found very out-dated terminal and bathroom are not clean and terminal is congested. Hope the new government take action on revamping and expanding CMB asap instead of building around unncessary international airports around the country (e.g. Sigiriya International Airport).

What's your thought on this?

CMB layout can be accessible from here

https://www.google.com/maps/place/Colombo+Bandaranaike+International+Airport/@7.1741133,79.8857685,20.04z/data=!4m6!3m5!1s0x3ae2efb735f22d5d:0x6ebd702103828 b37!8m2!3d7.1801543!4d79.8842495!16s%2Fg%2F11gslxv hz5?entry=ttu&g_ep=EgoyMDI0MTAyOS4wIKXMDSoASAFQAw% 3D%3D

Hi Umedha, Hope you enjoyed your time in SL and landed safely in AKL? How is your experience on your latest trip from CMB to AKL?

Yes! agree with this, flew CMB-MEL during DEC 23 and I have to say the terminal, especially the check in desks were crowded a lot, people were all over the place, pushing, etc. The ceiling was very low and it overfall felt a bit claustrophobic, didn't help once i was checked in my flight was delayed for 5 hours... Wifi was choppy inside of the airport, couldn't get work done while I was waiting for my flight...

T2 must be completed swiftly since CMB is picking up traffic.. and I'm certain it will definitely get more busy during the coming year.

The government must also work on getting HRI and JAF back up to speed, they have the potential to become busy regional airports, especially JAF.. while HRI can serve as an International charter airport.. these are just my ideas.....

But, why is the government so focused on building international airports inside of the country? Hingurakgoda, Hambanthota and etc? what purpose does it really serve? Let me be clear, SL is a small nation who is currently developing, there is absolutely no demand to build new airports, CMB is already congested as it is, it handles over 10 million passengers per year, why don't they prioritize expanding CMB? Alot of airlines operate to CMB because it is the defacto main airport of SL and will continue to be that way for decades.

Is this method of building new unnecessary and costly airports another way of getting rid of congestion at CMB? because it seems to me like it is.. Didn't they learn from HRI?

I believe CMB should be expanded greatly, it has the potential to be busy as MAA and serve the same amount of countries as BOM or BLR..

Same goes with JAF, it has the potential to be a great regional airport serving the Indian market, why don't they focus on that as well? HRI must be turned into something better, the infrastructure around the Hambanthota area needs to be improved urgently, some people who landed there, especially tourists describe it as "An airport in the middle of a jungle" and I agree. Hopefully when new management takes over HRI will be getting some traffic.

I hope the new government takes the steps necessary to prioritize CMB and JAF, while also looking at HRI.

What are your thoughts?

Edit: Added more content..

Omni Air International, registration N378AX. Came about two days ago.

Amazing ! Any reason for the visit? I also noticed B737 BBJ at the same location. Do you have any details?

Any pictures?