Sri Lanka Aviation

**Serendib** · 19-07-2026, 03:11 PM

So, MSNs 55 and 60 are finally headed to China Airlines—they were originally meant for SriLankan before that deal fell through.
The A330neo is clearly the main focus for Malaysia Airlines moving forward, but it’s still wild to think they might actually ditch the A350s. Do you guys think SriLankan made the right call by canceling those A350s back in the day?

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**WizzWaveSien** · 19-07-2026, 03:42 PM

Well to be quite honest with you, my inner av-geek feels genuine pain when I remember the moment where the government cancelled the A350 order, it was kinda a good move financially, The A330-900 would have suited us better since it has the same type rating as the A330-300/200, and it would fit in better with our expansion stratergy as well. UL does not have the necessary demand and capacity to operate the A350 or the technically capacity right now to operate the A350,if they were considering a North America expansion, then yea, the A350 would make alot more sense and would be well aligned in their fleet stratergy. However, since the A330NEO is sufficient for the current long haul flights that UL offers, such as CMB-SYD, CMB-MEL, CMB-LHR, CMB-FRA and CMB-CDG, I believe it was kinda a good call. Though there should be quick to get the A339 into service by atleast 2039. the A333/A332s are aging.

Perhaps in the future, UL can replace their A332s with A339s, and replace their A333s with A359s. Hopefully they will also work on retiring their old A320ceos and instead work on getting more A321Ns or A320Ns. I belive that UL can be turned around in a few years time if they simply take bold decisions. the Soft Product is amazing, hospitality is great, though the Hard Product should be worked on. Thats my opinion, what do you guys think?

**Serendib** · 2026-07-20T09:52:14-06:00

Originally posted by WizzWaveSien

Well to be quite honest with you, my inner av-geek feels genuine pain when I remember the moment where the government cancelled the A350 order, it was kinda a good move financially, The A330-900 would have suited us better since it has the same type rating as the A330-300/200, and it would fit in better with our expansion stratergy as well. UL does not have the necessary demand and capacity to operate the A350 or the technically capacity right now to operate the A350,if they were considering a North America expansion, then yea, the A350 would make alot more sense and would be well aligned in their fleet stratergy. However, since the A330NEO is sufficient for the current long haul flights that UL offers, such as CMB-SYD, CMB-MEL, CMB-LHR, CMB-FRA and CMB-CDG, I believe it was kinda a good call. Though there should be quick to get the A339 into service by atleast 2039. the A333/A332s are aging.

Perhaps in the future, UL can replace their A332s with A339s, and replace their A333s with A359s. Hopefully they will also work on retiring their old A320ceos and instead work on getting more A321Ns or A320Ns. I belive that UL can be turned around in a few years time if they simply take bold decisions. the Soft Product is amazing, hospitality is great, though the Hard Product should be worked on. Thats my opinion, what do you guys think?

So, word is that a joint task force from the Bribery Commission and the CID is heading out to Australia. They’re tracking down some people involved in that $2 million bribery scandal tied to the SriLankan Airlines Airbus deal with that European airline. Heard about it on NewsWire.

**banuthev** · 2026-07-20T11:29:24-06:00

Originally posted by banuthev

Thanks for the update!
I am only aware of the following expansions out of Colombo and Mattala.

Malaysia Airlines: KUL-CMB 10 weekly, 7M8 (already operating)
Turkish Airlines : IST-CMB 11 weekly A333 (already operating).
Qatar Airways: DOH-CMB 35 weekly, B788, B789, B77W (already operating)
Emirates, Flydubai, SalamAir, China Eastern, Chongqing Airlines and Air Arabia have restored the frequencies recently.
Kuwait Airways: KWI-CMB 7 weekly A32N (already operating)
Vietjet: SGN–CMB, 3 weekly, A320, from mid-August 2026.
Vietnam Airlines: SGN–CMB, 3 weekly, A320/1, from mid-August 2026.
Jetstar: MEL–CMB, 3 weekly, B788, from the end of August 2026.
FitsAir: CMB-KUL, 4 weekly A320 from early September 2026.
Beijing Capital Airlines: PKX–CMB, 1–2 weekly, A333, from mid-September 2026.
Aeroflot: SVO–CMB, 3 weekly, B773, from early October 2026.
British Airways: LGW–CMB, 3 weekly, B772, from the end of October 2026.
Edelweiss: ZRH–CMB, 2 weekly, A359, from the end of October 2026.
Belavia: MSQ-HRI, 1 weekly, A332 from the end of October 2026.
French Bee: ORY–CMB, 2–3 weekly, A359, from December 2026.

I feel that these airlines operating direct flights to Colombo is a significant development this year compared to last.

On a negative note, I noticed that Singapore Airlines is not operating daytime flights to Colombo from the end of October 2026. Do you know the reason for this? Also, the AirAsia Group and IndiGo have reduced their flights to Colombo.

Are there any other airlines looking to start scheduled or charter flights to Colombo in the coming months or next year?

Edelweiss is planning to increase its ZRH-CMB service from two to three weekly flights for the 2026/2027 winter season. This clearly reflects a rise in demand for direct flights between Europe and Sri Lanka.

**Serendib** · 2026-07-21T00:20:15-06:00

Found this pic on Google. Pretty sure that's 4R-AND.

Looks like 4R-ABO is gearing up to get back into service! Spotted its ADS-B transponder active in the 320 hangar over the last few days.

SriLankan dropped their Kuwait flights with all the Middle East mess going on. Are Kuwait Airways and Jazeera still flying to CMB normally?

Screenshot_20260721_071728_Chrome.jpg

**MAW2000** · 2026-07-21T03:30:27-06:00

Originally posted by WizzWaveSien

Well to be quite honest with you, my inner av-geek feels genuine pain when I remember the moment where the government cancelled the A350 order, it was kinda a good move financially, The A330-900 would have suited us better since it has the same type rating as the A330-300/200, and it would fit in better with our expansion stratergy as well. UL does not have the necessary demand and capacity to operate the A350 or the technically capacity right now to operate the A350,if they were considering a North America expansion, then yea, the A350 would make alot more sense and would be well aligned in their fleet stratergy. However, since the A330NEO is sufficient for the current long haul flights that UL offers, such as CMB-SYD, CMB-MEL, CMB-LHR, CMB-FRA and CMB-CDG, I believe it was kinda a good call. Though there should be quick to get the A339 into service by atleast 2039. the A333/A332s are aging.

Perhaps in the future, UL can replace their A332s with A339s, and replace their A333s with A359s. Hopefully they will also work on retiring their old A320ceos and instead work on getting more A321Ns or A320Ns. I belive that UL can be turned around in a few years time if they simply take bold decisions. the Soft Product is amazing, hospitality is great, though the Hard Product should be worked on. Thats my opinion, what do you guys think?

This depicts 99% reflection of my opinion. UL and Goverment has to take a Simple Bold decision.
Suggestion : A330-941 - 12 Jets + A320-251N - 2 existing Jets + A321-251N - 4 existing Jets + A321-251NX - 8 Jets.

Sri Lanka Aviation

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