SriLankan Airlines is looking at re-starting their operations to Hyderabad and Calicut. [traveldailymedia].

We are not in serious talks with any Indian airline: Bruce Ashby, CEO of Oneworld

After an unsuccessful attempt to add the grounded carrier - Kingfisher Airlines into the Oneworld alliance, the grouping of global airlines is open to having a member from India. Bruce Ashby, Oneworld CEO, spoke to Yuga Chaudhari on the Indian carriers and the importance of the Indian market.

You have recently added Sri lankan Airlines as part of oneworld alliance, while India still remains untapped. Do you think you are missing out a big market like India?

If you look at all our members collectively, we have the largest alliance in India now, even though we do not have any Indian airline as part of our alliance. We are actually very strong in India through Qatar Airways, Srilankan Airlines, etc.
You know, we were interested in India. We got into extended talks with Kingfisher, which did not materialise due to different reasons. We are certainly open to having a member in the area but ever since the Kingfisher episode, we haven't had any serious discussion with anyone for joining Oneworld.

more: http://www.dnaindia.com/money/interv...eworld-1984465

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.