Sri Lanka Aviation

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/

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

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

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

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.

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

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.

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.​

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.

Any update on 4R-ALL And 4R-ABM?

Any Update on 4R-AND ?

Hey do you guys know what’s the registration of this aircraft? Anyone know ?

EDB promotes “Sri Lanka Expo 2027” in collaboration with SriLankan Airlines

Registration is 4R-ANE, A321N

4R-ANB is not active since 19-Sep. Any reason?



UL is operating with reduced frequencies to DOH, KWI, TRV, CDG, FRA. SYD has been restored to 4 weekly.

EK reduced the CMB flights 28 weekly to 21 weekly.

Colombo-Bound VietJet Flight Makes Emergency Landing At Chennai Airport, To Depart After Engine Repair

Chennai: A VietJet Airlines flight en route from Vietnam to Sri Lanka made an emergency landing at Chennai Airport late Tuesday night following a sudden mechanical failure. Officials said the flight will depart from Chennai on Wednesday following repair.

The flight from Ho Chi Minh City International Airport in Vietnam to Colombo, had 143 passengers on board and nine crew members. No injuries were reported.

The aircraft was cruising at an altitude of approximately 36,000 feet towards Sri Lanka when one of its engines suddenly failed. Realising the danger of continuing the flight, the pilots decided to make an emergency landing at the nearest suitable airport. Subsequently, the pilots contacted the Chennai Airport control room through their airline's headquarters in Delhi. They requested permission for an emergency landing and asked for all necessary safety arrangements to ensure a safe touchdown.

Following this, all necessary safety arrangements were made for an emergency landing in Chennai. Subsequently, at around 10:30 pm, permission for landing was granted to the flight and subsequently, it landed safely at Chennai airport at 10:40 pm.

All passengers were accommodated in the airport lounges, where arrangements were made to provide them with drinking water and snacks. Meanwhile, a team of aircraft engineers worked on repairing the faulty engine.

Officials have been announced that the aircraft will depart on Wednesday after repair.