AirAsia Cancels Kuala Lumpur – Colombo Service from late-Feb 2013
by JL

Update at 0800GMT 22JAN13

AirAsia starting 26FEB13 is cancelling Kuala Lumpur – Colombo service, where it currently operates daily service on this route with A320 aircraft. With the service cancellation, AirAsia is pulling out its operation in Sri Lanka.

Existing schedule until 25FEB13 as follows.

AK1267 KUL1100 – 1200CMB 320 D
AK1268 CMB1255 – 1910KUL 320 D

Saudia replaces 744 operation to Colombo with 772

I have a small question, why doesn't Sri lankan or Mihin own any boeing aircrafts ?

Increasing capacity on Colombo – Kuala Lumpur route

Max; AK announced discontinuation of the KUL-CMB routes ..

Frills-free airline, AirAsia, has scrapped its daily flight from Kuala Lumpur to Colombo and vice-versa effective Feb 26
due to commercial reasons.

Affected passengers will be offered options to avoid any inconvenience that might arise due to the flight termination, the low-cost carrier said.

"Every affected passenger will be notified via their e-mail and short messaging service (SMS).

"AirAsia strongly urges passengers to keep their e-mail addresses and mobile numbers with their country code prefix updated in their AirAsia member profiles to ensure the airline can reach them to assist them," the budget airline said in a statement.

It said affected passengers have a choice to move their flights to an earlier date to or from Kuala Lumpur or Colombo without any extra charges and subject to availability of seats or they will be offered a credit shell for the value that they paid with a validity of three months or a full refund.

Passengers can also contact AirAsia's Customer Care Team via social media by tweeting to twitter.com/AskAirAsia for further enquiries about the route termination. -- Bernama

AK says due to commercial reasons.

oneworld looking at ways to strengthen the alliance and extend the reach of network.

Increasing capacity on Colombo – Kuala Lumpur route

SriLankan Airlines & Malaysia Airlines increasing capacity on Colombo – Kuala Lumpur route.

Both Airlines currently undergoing their integration process into full membership of the oneworld alliance.

Once this integration is complete, you will enjoy more convenient travel options across the oneworld network.

India routes fuel SriLankan’s growth

Surprising withdrawals by a few popular airlines operating to Sri Lanka, and the beginning of services by a few others are sending a mixed message on the potential of the traffic in the sector.

AIRASIA MOVE

AirAsia announced a withdrawal on one sector, and the Gulf Air said it was terminating services.

On the other hand, British Airways, Turkish Airlines, and Korean Air are planning to begin services soon.

Malaysian has announced plans to augment capacity in the Colombo-Kaula Lumpur sector.

TOURIST ARRIVALS

Many airlines operators were upbeat after tourist traffic to Sri Lanka picked up after the government forces decimated the Tamil Tigers in May 2009.

Tourist arrivals have picked up since, and, in mid-December 2012, Sri Lanka said that the millionth passenger in a calendar year had arrived.

According to the Sri Lanka Tourism Board, as many as 1.76 lakh Indian tourists visited Sri Lanka in 2012, up from 1.71 lakh the previous year. Hence, it baffled many when AirAsia announced a suspension of its Kuala Lumpur – Colombo flight, effective February 2013, “due to commercial reasons.”

In fact, AirAsia was following in the footsteps of Gulf Air, which said that it was “terminating operations” as part of a cost-cutting drive.

Last year, AirAsia’s Thai services were reduced because of lower than projected demand.

“Traffic to and from Sri Lanka is growing,” said a travel agent, who expressed surprise over the AirAsia move. “So is business tourism,” he added.

The glut, he added, will be in the Colombo – Male sector, where Turkish Airlines will add to the existing capacity offered by Emirates, Sri Lankan, and China Eastern.

Turkish Airlines will begin Istanbul-Colombo flights via Male, from February 1. The India routes continue to script a unique success story for Sri Lanka’s flagship carrier.

MONOPOLY ROUTES

Sri Lankan has a monopoly on many India routes, including Colombo-New Delhi, Colombo-Kochi, Colombo-Thiruvananthapuram, Colombo-Tiruchi, and Colombo-Bangalore.

After Jet Airways stopped its New Delhi-Colombo service last year, the only direct flight is operated by Sri Lankan.

In the busiest Indian sector, Chennai-Colombo, Sri Lankan operates four flights every day, while Air India Express, SpiceJet and Jet Airways operate one each.

In addition, Air India operates six times a week.

There have been no takers for the capacity or routes vacated by Kingfisher.

Japan Airlines - oneworld member

CMB booking is available on tk.com.. http://www.turkishairlines.com/en-in...online-booking

Yes It is available in GDS as well... LOwest fares published to CMB.

As I can see Tk doesnt have Traffic Rights on CMB -MLE sector .

**** TK PRomotional Fare from Italy starting € 430 *****

As per my friend Air Asia to cmb the Yield is v low seems Also the premium seats which they make money Sales are very less.
Only Advance Low price booking were there So they coudnt make any money on the route.
Also Srilankan market is more like a transit/employment basis market. Tourism Into Srilanka nor Srilankan who goes as tourist are v less except festive seasons.....

PIA are going to train their upcoming A320 pilots in Colombo, through UL or Mihin?

330 sim is undercontruction

Mihin doesn't have it's own SIM.

Mihin and third parties also use the SriLankan Airlines A320 simulator to train their pilots. Any ideas when they can start A330 simulator?

it will take another 2,3 months