Sri Lanka Aviation

Good to know UL expanding MEL flights with perfect timings to connect with LHR flights. I feel Sri Lanka have upgraded the bilateral with Australia to operate more flights between the countries. Does any one know what's the maximum flights will operate between Sri Lanka and Australia as per current bilateral?

UL602/603 last used for 7am departure from Colombo back in 2022. My understanding UL608/609 will be used as it's mid-afternoon departure from Colombo. Please correct me if i am wrong.

Jetstar will operate direct, three-times-weekly flights between Melbourne and Colombo on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays using 787-9 (JQ5/6)
Melbourne to Colombo (JQ5): Departs 12:00, Arrives 17:50
Colombo to Melbourne (JQ6): Departs 19:50, Arrives 10:00

new flight number UL608/609
Wonder why it’s not UL602/603 🤔

also, on which days Jetstar will operate from Colombo?

SriLankan Airlines to increase Melbourne flights to 10 per week

11 March 2026 11:07 am

Colombo, March 11 (Daily Mirror) - SriLankan Airlines has announced plans to increase its weekly flights between Colombo and Melbourne to 10 services, effective from August 2, in response to growing travel demand.

The airline said the expansion aims to strengthen its connectivity with Australia, which has recently emerged as one of the fastest-growing inbound tourism markets to Sri Lanka. The growth is largely driven by leisure travellers and visits by family and friends.

Under the new schedule, three additional flights will operate every Tuesday, Thursday and Sunday, departing Colombo at 2.10 p.m. and arriving in Melbourne at 4.30 a.m. the following day. The return flights will leave Melbourne at 6.00 a.m. and arrive in Colombo at 12.15 p.m.

The airline will also continue its daily service UL604, departing Colombo at 12.20 a.m. and arriving in Melbourne at 2.40 p.m., with the return service UL605 departing Melbourne at 4.10 p.m. and arriving in Colombo at 10.25 p.m.

According to the airline, the additional frequencies will provide travellers with greater flexibility and improved connections through Colombo to destinations across India and the wider region.

The move is expected to particularly benefit the Sri Lankan diaspora living in Australia as well as Sri Lankan students studying there, by offering more convenient travel options between the two countries.

The increased flights are also expected to strengthen Colombo’s position as a regional aviation hub, enabling passengers from India to connect to Melbourne via Sri Lanka.

https://www.dailymirror.lk/breaking-...eek/108-334997

4R-ALR out of service

QR7344 is flying from CMB to LHR. Any reason for this this flight? Is this aircraft chartered by Sri Lanka for repatriation flight?

SriLankan Airlines to resume daily flights to Riyadh and Dubai. Flights to Riyadh will resume tonight, while services to Dubai will recommence tomorrow, with passenger and crew safety remaining a priority.

4R-ALL operated from CMB FCO UL1213.

WhatsApp Image 2026-03-09 at 11.01.31.jpg

Its all about passenger market, not cargo but eventually cargo demand will be there but not a considerable amount to operate a widebody jet.

The Main reason for Sudden CMB KUL demand is student movements which will exist only for a shorter period.

Agree, according to UAE Market intelligence, Customers trust 8D over all other carriers including EK and UL, which is a great opportunity to expand and catch the own market share which UL has also.
Still the issue is coming from resources : Aircrafts, UL is struggling with fleet shortage to launch new routes or increase frequencies.

Ahmedabad

I see number of flights between CMB-KUL have increased recently. MH is planning to increase the CMB flights from 7 weekly 10 weekly as below : -

03APR26 – 01MAY26 8 weekly
03MAY26 – 17MAY26 9 weekly
20MAY26 – 31MAY26 10 weekly

MH7213 KUL0910 – 1005CMB 73H 357
MH179 KUL2200 – 2255CMB 73H D

MH178 CMB0005 – 0620KUL 73H D
MH7212 CMB1120 – 1835KUL 73H 357

From 3rd June 2026, MH operating CMB-KUL flights as below : -

MH497 KUL0910 – 1005CMB 73H 357
MH179 KUL2200 – 2255CMB 73H D

MH178 CMB0005 – 0620KUL 73H D
MH496 CMB1120 – 1835KUL 73H 357​​

Good to see MH during day-time hours around Colombo.

Fits Air Flight Schedule for upcoming Colombo-Ahmedabad Flights

Launch date - 14th April 2026. Booking seems not opened yet.

CMB-AMD-06:30-09:40-8D963-A320-FRI
CMB-AMD-23:25-02:35-8D961-A320-TUE.SUN+1

AMD-CMB-03:40-06:50-8D962-A320-MON.WED
AMD-CMB-10:45-13:55-8D964-A320-FRI

Is Fits Air also planning to increase CMB-KUL flights from 4 weekly to 6 weekly from end of March 2026?

Is there a decline in pax traffic in BKK-CMB sector?