Sri Lanka Aviation

It appears to be MSN 1037 (A333) being delivered to Thai AirAsia as HS-XTS on the 23 Oct 2025.

BIA to Add 12 New Check-in Counters from November 1 to Support Growing Airline Demand

Airport and Aviation Services (Sri Lanka) (Private) Limited (AASL), in collaboration with Sri Lanka Tourism, will open 12 new check-in counters at Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) from 1st November 2025.

AASL Chairman Air Chief Marshal (Retd.) Harsha Abeywickrema said the move addresses increasing airline requests to add flights and operate wide-body aircraft during the winter season.

He noted that handling over 7.5 million passengers by September reflects strong industry growth and confidence to begin construction of BIA Terminal 2 in 2026.

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Twenty (20) new self-check-in kiosks have been introduced at the Katunayake Airport, aiming to streamline the check-in process and reduce congestion during peak travel hours.

The kiosks have been jointly introduced by the Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA), the Airport and Aviation Services (Sri Lanka) (Private) Limited (AASL) and SriLankan Airlines Ground Handling.

Airport Chief of SriLankan Airlines Ground Handling, Deepal Pallegangoda, said the new kiosks were introduced to improve efficiency and offer a smoother experience for travellers.

Deepal Pallegangoda reminded passengers that SriLankan Airlines closes check-in one hour prior to departure and urged travellers to make use of the extended arrival window, up to 04 hours, to avoid last-minute delays.

Stating that 08 self-check-in machines were initially installed at the Katunayake Airport, Deepal Pallegangoda added that 20 more have been installed now, bringing it to a total of 28 self-check-in machines at the airport. (Newswire)

Wishful thinking my fellow aviation Forum Friend!!!! But unfortunately Sri Lanka does not have that capability to support ULR flights.... I would rather see us go hard core on India,Africa, Indian Ocean Islands, China, Korea,Japan, SE Asia/Asean, Australasia, Retime Heathrow flights for better connectivity, Get back to MXP and FCO with connections to Australasia and SE ASIA, Re time CDG, FRA to connect to our SYD, MEL and India and SE Asia, China, Japan, Korea flights. We can add more value to One world and be taken more seriously by BA,AA,CX,QF,JL and even QR where we get to be more closer partners than just be alliance partners.

Let QR handle the codeshares to other EU, North America and South American destinations. For better connectivity UL needs to retime LHR which connects to British Airways and American Airlines vast network at LHR.

Flysmiles is utter waste. Dosent give you the vibe to credit miles to that program. Too Bad UL has lovely crew & soft product, but the planning teams and management seems to be elsewhere.

That’s a great point! The A330-800 (A338) in the 251T configuration would indeed be a solid option for UL. With its extended range, it can easily handle ultra-long-haul routes like CMB–JFK, CMB–YYZ, or even CMB–LAX, opening up direct connectivity to North America. The aircraft’s fuel efficiency and lower operating costs compared to older widebodies make it ideal for these thinner, long-distance markets.
If UL configures it similarly to Singapore Airlines’ ULR layout — optimized for passenger comfort with more premium and extra-legroom seating — it could offer a strong product for these long flights while maintaining profitability. It’s a smart way to expand network reach without going into the size and cost range of the A350 or B777.

According to a senior member of SriLankan Airlines, the previously planned acquisition of the ex-Belgium Airlines A330-900 will not proceed. Due to the current global shortage of available Airbus aircraft and the long waiting queue for deliveries, SriLankan Airlines has begun exploring the option of acquiring Boeing aircraft instead. Boeing has reportedly expressed strong support by offering comprehensive crew and pilot training programs, simulator facilities, maintenance assistance, and technical training for the airline’s engineering staff.

Does anyone got an idea or any information about OO-ABF getting ready for UL by any chance?

it also says "returned from lease". maybe its up for grabs?

OO-ABF A330-941 MSN 1844 ferried 21oct25 LDE-CHR

Agree, but emphasized a way to use the fleet for network expansions.

UL uses widebody aircraft on shorthaul routes where there is high cargo demand. The passenger load might not be so high but the holds are earning cargo revenue.

It is time for UL to order some state of the air crafts now. Because they are not readily available UL needs to plan for the future now.
All the planes are 8 years or more older and need reburshing as well

Hi Everyone,

8D/EXV is planning to fly to LHE and BKK by 1st Quarter of next year.

Until getting more aircrafts , One thing UL can do is : They are operating Widebody jets on some short-haul routes (UL115/6 , Pakistani routes, Sometimes BLR, BKK, KUL, DAC). They can use their Narrow-body jets on these short-haul routes and increase the frequency if slots are available, and deploy Widebody jets on Australia Expansions (PER, SYD)
Hope 4R-ALU is joining soon and if UL can do something with 4 jets on Airbus order book (Something like placing the order or converting it to A330-841s or A321-251Ns) or getting A332 or A333s with average age of 10 years or less.

UL has A321-251N jets, they cannot fly on such long route, I guess even A321neo LR cannot fly comfortably between Australia and Sri Lanka, Anyone who wants to fly a narrowbody jet, needs an A321 XLR, and the per Seat cost will be much high, since lower seats count and long route and higher lease cost. Widebody jets are the best option on this route.