Announcement

**Max** · 20-06-2015, 05:12 AM

Sri Lanka to adopt Open Skies policy

Aviation Deputy Minister Lakshman Yapa Abeywardena yesterday said the government had decided to adopt full Open Skies policy as regards the countries with which Sri Lanka had bilateral air services agreement.

The deputy minister, the Mattala Airport, yesterday said thus some 20 countries which had air services agreement with Sri Lanka could use the Mattala Rajapaksa Airport anytime, while plans were underway to tap more countries through 50 bilateral agreements.

Yapa also said that the government had already given the nod for the Open Skies policy for commercial aircraft operating to and out of Mattala Rajapaksa International Airport, since last month.

The MRIA located in the Southern Province, had a code 4-F runway of 3400 metres in length which was capable of accommodating Airbus A380 aircraft, the Deputy Minister said.

Abeywardena also said that shortly he would present a Cabinet paper to bring down the embarkation tax from USD 25 to USD 10. He also would recommend the duty free allowance to be increased.

Page not found – The Island

http://www.island.lk/index.php?page_cat=article-details&page=article-details&code_title=126833

Daily English Language Newspaper in Sri Lanka

**Serendib** · 20-06-2015, 06:57 AM

Originally posted by sfernando34 View Post

Interesting developments here. Was the JAL 777 a charter? Cause I think the Japanese government has its own planes to take diplomats, the prime minister etc... and what about the Ethiopian one? Have no idea about that. I wonder if JAL will eventually start a route to CMB. It seems like there are a fair number of Japanese tourists visiting SL and the Maldives. If they added MLE to that they could surely fill their planes while at the same time making competition with Korean Air.

As part of the 15-year development road map, Vision 2025, Ethiopian Airlines is expanding its routes. The national flag carrier opened new routes to Toronto, Sao Paulo, Kuala Lumpur, Singapore, Seoul, and Ho Chi Minh City. The airline is studying Istanbul, Moscow and Colombo markets.

Ethiopian Airlines to wing its way to Ã¢â‚¬Ëœland of rising sunÃ¢â‚¬â„¢

http://www.ethiosports.com/2014/01/18/ethiopian-airlines-to-wing-its-way-to-land-of-rising-sun/

**Moderator** · 20-06-2015, 09:15 AM

Originally posted by umedhah View Post

2015-06-20 UL5050 Colombo (CMB) Karachi (KHI) - 04:21 - Landed 07:13

**banuthev** · 20-06-2015, 10:11 AM

Originally posted by umedhah View Post

2015-06-20 UL5050 Colombo (CMB) Karachi (KHI) - 04:21 - Landed 07:13

Hi Skyliner & umedhah, I am really going to miss this aircraft which had done the great job for both Air Lanka & SriLankan. Is 4R-ADB going to be ferried to CEW via KHI & PSM ? Any idea where was the first flight operated by 4R-ADB? 4R-ADA & 4R-ADC ?

Final flights of 4R-ADC & 4R-ADB

Source : Beau Watts

Thanks Beau Watts for sharing the video ? Where is this airport? Do you have more pictures/videos of 4R-ADB & 4R-ADC? When the are going to begin the part out for these aircrafts ?

**Srilankan1** · 20-06-2015, 03:46 PM

Originally posted by banuthev View Post

I am going to miss this aircraft which had done the great job for both Air Lanka & SriLankan. Is 4R-ADB going to be ferried to CEW via KHI & PSM ? Any idea where was the first flight operated by 4R-ADB? 4R-ADA & 4R-ADC ?

All those exits of old Aircrafts will bring our average fleet age drastically downwards. after exit of ADC that was 10,3 years.

**Srilankan1** · 21-06-2015, 06:07 PM

for what reason we need to have ADG with this configuration (C20Y223) in the fleet of UL please?

**banuthev** · 21-06-2015, 08:24 PM

Originally posted by Srilankan1 View Post

All those exits of old Aircrafts will bring our average fleet age drastically downwards. after exit of ADC that was 10,3 years.

Now UL have to focus on improving the standard such as cabin service, customer service, ontime performance, good maint for aircraft etc.. btw any news on appointing new CEO ?

**banuthev** · 21-06-2015, 08:26 PM

Originally posted by Srilankan1 View Post

for what reason we need to have ADG with this configuration (C20Y223) in the fleet of UL please?

I am very surprised why UL didnt bothered to reconfig this ex-CX bird which was delivered to UL in 2011 with config of 8F 30J 205Y. Secondly I am bit curious why UL didnt leased some A332 instead of A343 (B-HXL) when they know the fuel effeciency issue with an existing A340 fleet.

**Srilankan1** · 21-06-2015, 08:30 PM

Originally posted by banuthev View Post

Now UL have to focus on improving the standard such as cabin service, customer service, ontime performance, good maint for aircraft etc.. btw any news on appointing new CEO ?

The Vacancy was announced few weeks ago. don't know the latest about it.

**Srilankan1** · 21-06-2015, 08:32 PM

Originally posted by banuthev View Post

I am very surprised why UL didnt bothered to reconfig this ex-CX bird which was delivered to UL in 2011 with config of 8F 30J 205Y. Secondly I am bit curious why UL didnt leased some A332 instead of A343 (B-HXL) when they know the fuel effeciency issue with an existing A340 fleet.

looks like most inefficient bird we have. isn't it?

**Amodya.Alwis** · 21-06-2015, 08:35 PM

Originally posted by Srilankan1 View Post

All those exits of old Aircrafts will bring our average fleet age drastically downwards. after exit of ADC that was 10,3 years.

4R-ADF as UL281 Back to base on 16/06/15. Any emergancy?

**anthonylk** · 22-06-2015, 10:52 AM

Mihin Lanka's Kolkata flight returns with 99% cabin factor

Just a moment...

http://www.dailynews.lk/?q=business/mihin-lankas-kolkata-flight-returns-99-cabin-factor

Mihin Lanka recently celebrated its inaugural flight from Colombo, Sri Lanka to Kolkata, India.

The inaugural flight returned to Colombo from Kolkata with a cabin factor of 99% and the new route will support the airline's efforts to provide greater connectivity throughout the region. Mihin Lanka is also the first airline to offer a direct flight between Colombo and Kolkata.

Many passengers on board the inaugural flight commended Mihin Lanka for offering a direct flight between Kolkata and Colombo, they also highlighted that the new flight will make it more affordable for them to visit Sri Lanka for business and leisure.

With effect from 20June 2015, Mihin Lanka will also introduce its new Business Class with an enhanced ground and inflight service that will provide passengers with greater comfort and value added services.

**banuthev** · 22-06-2015, 11:27 AM

Originally posted by anthonylk View Post

http://www.dailynews.lk/?q=business/...9-cabin-factor

Mihin Lanka recently celebrated its inaugural flight from Colombo, Sri Lanka to Kolkata, India.

The inaugural flight returned to Colombo from Kolkata with a cabin factor of 99% and the new route will support the airline's efforts to provide greater connectivity throughout the region. Mihin Lanka is also the first airline to offer a direct flight between Colombo and Kolkata.

Many passengers on board the inaugural flight commended Mihin Lanka for offering a direct flight between Kolkata and Colombo, they also highlighted that the new flight will make it more affordable for them to visit Sri Lanka for business and leisure.

With effect from 20June 2015, Mihin Lanka will also introduce its new Business Class with an enhanced ground and inflight service that will provide passengers with greater comfort and value added services.

Nope, pax load factor on that CCU-CMB flight was just below 99% as the aircraft (4R-MRF) was carrying 107 pax out of 112 seats. What's a ticket price for CMB-CCU return?

**Aaqib** · 23-06-2015, 04:23 AM

Originally posted by banuthev View Post

Nope, pax load factor on that CCU-CMB flight was just below 99% as the aircraft (4R-MRF) was carrying 107 pax out of 112 seats. What's a ticket price for CMB-CCU return?

Normal Fares range form LKR 40000 return and they offered a promotional fare of LKR 21000 return too (I guess that'd be on selected dates)

**banuthev** · 25-06-2015, 08:36 AM

Any possibilities Ethiopian Airlines starting flights to Colombo? Do you think this route will become successful?

This Foto clicked by Savin G

Originally posted by Serendib View Post

As part of the 15-year development road map, Vision 2025, Ethiopian Airlines is expanding its routes. The national flag carrier opened new routes to Toronto, Sao Paulo, Kuala Lumpur, Singapore, Seoul, and Ho Chi Minh City. The airline is studying Istanbul, Moscow and Colombo markets.

http://www.ethiosports.com/2014/01/1...of-rising-sun/

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