Serendib, thanks for sharing the great news!!

SriLankan should acquire few more A320/A321s to start flights to Goa, Coimbatore, Gan Island etc..

SriLankan Airlines Set To Tap Sub-Continent’s ‘Emerging Middle-Class’ : http://www.newindianexpress.com/busi...cle2204132.ece

Hainan Airlines has a fleet of 128 aircraft. They are 5X (minimum) the size of UL. Domestic flight in China is the equivalent of a regional flight from Sri Lanka. They also fly trans pacific and to Europe. I see their aircraft more and more at European stations. They're far from a domestic carrier imho. Looks like they know what they're doing.

* SriLankan Airlines signs multiple contracts with Honeywell Aerospace to improve performance
Mon, May 5, 2014, 08:05 pm SL Time, ColomboPage News Desk, Sri Lanka.


May 05, Delhi: Sri Lanka's national carrier, SriLankan Airlines, has signed several contracts with Honeywell Aerospace to improve maintenance efficiency and increase cockpit and cabin connectivity for the airline.

According to a statement by the US-based largest manufacturer of aircraft engines and avionics said the contracts include an Auxiliary Power Unit (APU) maintenance agreement for SriLankan's Airbus A320, A330 and A340 fleets to improve maintenance planning and lower costs, and communication avionics for six new A330 aircraft scheduled for delivery later in 2014.

The avionics include communication and navigation hardware, data link software, flight data and voice recorders, and satellite connectivity systems to enhance aircraft-to-ground communication.

"As we expand our operations around the world and prepare to join the oneworld alliance, it is essential that our aircraft cater to the passenger's growing need for onboard connectivity and that we maintain the highest possible level of fleet availability," said Priyantha Rose, head of engineering, SriLankan Airlines.

"Honeywell's superior technology, quality service and excellent support team are key reasons behind our continued trust and decision to select the company's technologies and services for our current and new fleets."

"Honeywell's technologies support two key objectives of SriLankan Airlines: increasing efficiency by taking the guesswork out of maintenance, and improving the in-flight connectivity capabilities of its aircraft," said Arijit Ghosh, president, Honeywell Aerospace India.

"While our avionics deliver enhanced connectivity to SriLankan pilots and passengers in the air, our APU maintenance agreement helps keep maintenance costs lower on the ground. Together they increase operational efficiency, reduce cockpit workload for the pilots and improve the flying experience for its passengers."

As part of the avionics contract, Honeywell will install its Quantum Line communication and navigation system; HFR5 data link-capable solid state recorders; MCS-7200 L-band SATCOM system; and Air Traffic Services Unit Airline Operational Communication (ATSU AOC) data link software across the airline's six new A330-300s.

SriLankan has also selected Honeywell's ATSU AOC software, which manages the aircraft's data link capabilities, for all its existing A320 aircraft and will upgrade two of its existing A330s with Honeywell's SATCOM systems.

The APU contract will see Honeywell manage APU maintenance for its 131-9A and 331-350 APUs installed on SriLankan's Airbus fleet.

wow... good news!!!

UL 4454 and 4455 was seen in flightradar 24. It was from CMB to Hiroshima and back. It was visible a week ago too. Does any body knows about it

Is it VIP flight? Which aircraft? Also on the 20-Apr-2014, 4R-ABP operated on CMB-GAN-DOH-CMB as UL4217/8.

SriLankan Airlines launched Colombo-Hiroshima charter service with A330-200 aircraft on 01-May-2014, according to Hiroshima Airport Facebook page. The return service took place today (06-May-2014).

6-May-2014 12:55 PM
© CAPA

Yes it is a VIP Flight ! Must be an A340.. and 4R-ABP went to GAN because of Bad Weather and then only went off to Doha...

It was 4R-ALB Airbus A330 On May 05th from CMB to Hiroshima and back. Could be a charter service

Good to hear that. Does Srilankan have enough passenger demand between Colombo and Hiroshima? I remember Colombo had a direct flight with Fukouka in Japan but in Airlanka days.

Sri Lanka, New Zealand sign air services agreement

May 08, Auckland: New Zealand has signed an air services agreement with Sri Lanka Thursday enabling the New Zealanders to travel to and do business with Sri Lanka easily.

New Zealand Transport Minister Gerry Brownlee said the signing of an air services agreement with Sri Lanka is the latest in a string of similar agreements making it easier for New Zealanders to travel and do business internationally.

The agreement will enable airlines to offer flights from New Zealand to Sri Lanka and then on to other destinations, with tickets able to be sold for either or both sectors.

The New Zealand Minister signed today's agreement extending 'fifth freedom' rights alongside Sri Lanka's Minister of External Affairs, Professor G.L. Peiris in Auckland.

Today's agreement with Sri Lanka is in addition to 14 new or amended air services agreements recently approved by the New Zealand Cabinet.

The New Zealand cabinet has also approved new agreements with Finland, Saudi Arabia, Jamaica, Ethiopia, Togo and Zambia.

I dont think they will start direct flights between NZ & LK coz there is no diplomatic mission for LK in NZ. It might be a indirect connection with either SQ or MH i guess.

I don't think a direct flight would have much demand. NZ population is very small as is the SL diaspora.

I was thinking that it may be an indirect connection via Australia considering that Sri Lankan plan to start flying to Australia early next year.

SriLankan begins charter flights to Sichuan
DIRESH jAYASURIYA direshj@gmail.com
SriLankan Airlines, CEO , Kapila Chandrasena exchanging the agreement with Chongqing Huapont International Travel Service Co. Ltd, Outbound Tourism Center Manager, Iris Huang. Picture by Sumanachandra Ariyawansa
SriLankan Airlines, the newest member of the oneworld alliance, in a move to meet the increasing demands for air services between China and Sri Lanka will be operate scheduled charter flights to Sichuan province, China beginning July1.

SriLankan will be operating a weekly flight to Chongqing from Colombo, returning via Bangkok. The signing of the agreement between Chongqing Huapont International Travel Service Co. Ltd and SriLankan Airlines was held in Colombo yesterday.

The national carrier currently operates a total of 15 weekly flights to Beijing, Shanghai, Canton and Hong Kong and with this initiative, will be marking its presence in the South-western China as well. SriLankan Airlines, CEO, Kapila Chandrasena said that they have witnessed a 65% growth in Chinese tourists arrivals during 2013 to 2014. He said, 36000 Chinese tourists arrived to the country during last four months of 2014. “We are expecting 120,000 to 140,000 Chinese tourist arrivals this year,” he said.

Chandrasena said they are constantly looking for new avenues to expand operations in the region through increasing frequencies and introducing new destinations.z_pi-Sri.jpg

“With the introduction of charter flights to Chongqing, we will be catering to a new segment of passengers who will no doubt, enjoy convenient and hassle-free travel with a touch of traditional Sri Lankan hospitality,” he added.

SriLankan Airlines, Chief Marketing Officer, G.T. Jeyaseelan said, “After Beijing, Shanghai and Guanzhou, where we have already made our mark, we have identified Sichuan province as a potential market in the mainland China.

This comes into being after various evaluations we have carried out, and many tourism promotional activities conducted in the region by the Sri Lanka Tourism Promotional Bureau. We are of the opinion that operating a scheduled charter flight is a good way of testing the waters before starting scheduled operations.”

Chongqing Huapont International Travel Service Co. Ltd., established in July, 2002, is owned by Huapont-Nutrichem Co. Ltd. which is listed on Shenzhen Stock Exchange. Their business in tourism sector covers tourism sites development and management, hotels and resorts, inbound and outbound travels.

Iris Huang, Manager of International Department, commented “I was impressed by the beauty and hospitality of Sri Lanka during my visit first, this Charter initiative, out from Chongqing to Sri Lanka together with Sri Lankan Airlines and our local partner Walkers Tours is definitely going to create a good connection between Chongqing, as well as South-Western China to this destination.”

Walkers Tours will exclusively represent Chongqing Huapont International Travel Service Co. Ltd. in Sri Lanka.

Vasantha Leelananda, EVP, Head – Destination Management Sector, John Keells Group stated, “We are delighted to associate ourselves with Sri Lankan Airlines and Chongqing Huapont International Travel Service Co. Ltd. to promote Sri Lanka from South West China.

This will give us an opportunity to open a new hub out of Chongqing and we thank Sri Lankan Airlines for the cooperation extended and our partner in China for having confidence in the destination. This is the first time that a regular weekly service on a charter basis has been undertaken by an operator with Sri Lankan Airlines and it is a very exciting project”.

In April this year, SriLankan Airlines started operating eight direct flights a week to Beijing and Shanghai and out of which four flights depart from the Mattala Rajapaksa International Airport. Additionally, the Airline has operated charter flights to Kunming and Chengdu in the past; making this its third sequel of charter operations to China.

- See more at: http://www.dailynews.lk/?q=business/....jwHfFLmf.dpuf