Sri Lanka Aviation

Investor cannot be from AirAsia. This investor invited Fits Air (8D/EXV) ownership to expand the airline with A220s but transferring partial ownership and Fits Air refused to do so (Fits Air ownership is struggling with cash flow and losses). Still there is a potential for a proper second LCC to grab Indian, Bengali and local market.

I really wonder who is investing in Ocera. Could the investment be coming from AirAsia, which also ordered 150 x A220-300s? Perhaps AirAsia wants to use 10 of these A220-300s in Sri Lanka under the brand Ocera. This is only an assumption, but I am curious to know who the investor is.

​Although I'm happy about a new airline entering Sri Lanka, I'm also sad that Fitsair couldn't expand the way the company planned. At some point, Fitsair planned or operated flights to BKK, KUL, TRV, TRZ, MAA, LHE, and RUH etc, but it currently serves only DAC, MLE, DXB, and AMD.

​I strongly believe Sri Lanka needs a second airline that can cover a strong domestic, short-haul, and regional international network to supplement the UL network.​

Petition launched for direct London–Jaffna flights UK Labour MP Gareth Thomas (Harrow West) has started a petition calling for direct flights between London and Jaffna International Airport.

What will be the best option for this new carrier? Low cost or full service?

As far as I know, David Pieris Aviation will sell/transfer their Air Operator Certificate (AOC) to the new upcoming airline OCERA and Ocera has to upgrade Domestic AOC to an International AOC through Regulatory Authorites.

A Giant Leap in Strengthening Sri Lanka’s International Air Connectivity

Ocera.jpg

A new investment initiative is set to strengthen Sri Lanka’s domestic and regional air connectivity, with plans to expand air services to key destinations across South Asia, Southeast Asia and the Middle East.

Representatives of DP Aviation, a current holder of a Domestic Air Operator Certificate (AOC), together with its prospective investment partner, met with Captain Daminda Rambukwella, Director General of Civil Aviation & Chief Executive Officer, and senior officials of the Civil Aviation Authority of Sri Lanka (CAASL) to discuss the expansion plans. The meeting follows previous discussions with the Authority, and the CAASL evaluation of the international operation is currently in progress.

The company plans to operate both domestic and international services, with Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA), Katunayake, planned as its regional hub. The expansion will include increased connectivity between Jaffna and destinations in India, while developing a wider regional network covering South Asia, Southeast Asia and the Middle East.

The airline plans to introduce brand-new Airbus A220 aircraft and expand its fleet to 10 aircraft by 2030. The expansion is expected to create around 400 new employment opportunities across the aviation sector, including positions for pilots, cabin crew, aircraft maintenance and engineering personnel, flight operations, ground operations and other professional roles. As part of the expansion, DP Aviation is also preparing to operate under the new name OCERA Airlines.

The expanded network is expected to provide greater travel opportunities for passengers, improve connectivity between Sri Lanka and key regional markets, and strengthen air links between Jaffna and India. Establishing Katunayake as the regional hub will also support more convenient connections between domestic destinations and international markets.

The initiative is expected to create new career opportunities for Sri Lankans, strengthen the country’s aviation workforce and generate wider economic activity through tourism, trade, investment and aviation-related services. The introduction of new-generation aircraft and the planned fleet expansion will further support the development of Sri Lanka’s regional air transport sector.

The commencement of international operations will be subject to the completion of the ongoing CAASL evaluation and the necessary regulatory approvals.

Source: CAASL

exactly what I was thinking.. also how are they going to maintain them?

Hmmm.... Used A220 availability is very limited and still quite a few are grounded due to P&W engine issues;

Hi All,

Update on the new airline : Website (landing Site)
https://flyocera.com/

And Short interview with CEO : Reena Rahman (Ex-8D/Fits Air Senior Official)
https://www.thearabianstories.com/20...e-takes-shape/

My Guess on Utilization :
New A330-243s (4R-ALT, 4R-ALU including ALH, ALS) will be deployed on Medium/Short-haul sectors such as SIN, KUL D4, BKK D4, RUH, DXB, MLE, LHE and UL will pull out one of their A330-343 from those routes and deploy it on Long haul sectors to increase frequency or upgrade Aircraft on existing routes.

As far as I heard, CMB-SYD-CMB has low loads compared to MEL.

Nowadays, A321-271/2NY XLR on Thin long haul routes is questionable in-terms of Commercial.

https://www.dailymirror.lk/business-...lin/273-349106
Looks promising. Hopefully something good will come out of it. Qantas might operate MEL-CMB flights, don't know much about SYD sadly. But JQ has the potential to begin flights to CMB from either SYD or BNE.

Jetstar will be receiving their new A321XLRs from 2027 onwards, they are considering to operate PER-CMB flights


.

Don't know about the profitability of that route though, 5700km on a narrowbody is rough.But fingers crossed.

It is nice to know that an A330 is planned as an addition. If I am not mistaken, UL may be looking to increase frequencies using additional A330?

4R-ALT (MSN 1261) was also an ex-Garuda A332. Maybe it makes sense that they are acquiring ex-Garuda A332s so there are no issues with the configuration hopefully.

I believe all three of these A332 birds are currently stored at CGK. Does anyone know when they operated their last flights for Garuda?

That would be great news! Which Australian city does Qantas want to fly to Sri Lanka from?

I really wonder why UL reduced its SYD flights from four to three weekly. Does anyone know?