Sri Lanka Aviation

Hmm yes your correct !!

Guys, Any idea how long does it takes to build Airbus A330-343E? Wondering when will they start building our first A333 :-)

As per Airlinereporter, to build a Boeing 777 takes approx three months.

B777
From first part to out of the Boeing factory in Everett: 49 days
Time in the paint booth: 4 additional days
Flights and testing: About 30 additional days
Total from first part to delivery: About 83 days — less than three months.

Why are they using the same sequence as our A332? I thought they are going use different Sequence as 4R-AXX etc

On the 16th July, Sri Lankan Airlines will move from Terminal 4 to Terminal 3 at LHR

maybe becz a333 is still a product of the a330 family and UL already operates the a332 - again i may be very wrong, but that's what i assume atm.
i'm anxiously waiting to see the pics of its interior. btw does the a330-300E have an economy seating configuration of 3-3-3 than the usual 2-4-2 cz Philippine Airlines brand new a333 have a 3-3-3 config.

Good to see A343 flying to LHR again

even the new air asia x a333s hav 3-3-3 config.

oh wow. i prefer a 3-3-3 config than the usual 2-4-2 in economy. hope UL gets the 3-3-3

AC has moved to T2

is BA the only airline that operates out of T5???

No - Iberia also operates out of T5.

SriLankan Airlines Bond Issue

Civil Aviation And Finance Ministries Clash Over SriLankan Airlines: Minister reveals

Civil Aviation Minister Priyankara Jayarathne has admitted that there is a tug of war between the Civil Aviation Ministry and the Finance Ministry over the administration of SriLankan Airlines.

The Civil Aviation Minister has said that the SriLankan Airlines does not act in accordance with certain decisions made by the Civil Aviation Ministry.

“Although I have the authority over the institution through regulations, SriLankan Airlines is controlled by the Finance Ministry. There is a difference of opinion between the two parties. The present administrative structure of SriLankan Airlines creates problems, “ the Minister has said in an interview with the ‘Lankadeepa’ newspaper today (26).

“Although I am the Minister, I am helpless sometimes. That creates disappointment and frustration!” the Minister has said in the interview adding that there should be a drastic change in the administration of SriLankan Airlines.

Responding to a question in Parliament a few months ago, Minister Jayarathne said that Sri Lankan Airlines has incurred a loss of Rs. 25 billion during the last financial year (2013-2014).

The Minister also added that the daily expenditure of one employee at Sri Lankan Airlines stands at Rs. 166722. “Although 6523 employees are presently working at Sri Lankan Airlines, the company is still short of staff,” he said.

“Total debts of Sri Lankan Airlines stand at USD 4o million while total bank overdrafts stand at USD 50 million. In addition, there are mid-term loans standing at USD 140 million. The total indebtedness of Sri Lankan Airlines amounts to USD 230 million,” the Minister said explaining the present state of affairs in the institution.

Regarding the Bonds.

BB- and B+ ratings carry the following warning:-

An obligor is LESS VULNERABLE in the near term than other lower-rated obligors. However, it faces major ongoing uncertainties and exposure to adverse business, financial, or economic conditions which could lead to the obligor's inadequate capacity to meet its financial commitments.

I'm no financial expert but to me this looks like another desperate attempt to raise money to keep things going. It's a short term solution - long term UL is just getting deeper into debt with no way to ever repay.

This may buy more time but will not change the inevitable bankruptcy imho.

Saw another Expat colleague doing an interview at my Airline three weeks ago and I know more will be doing the same. I heard another Expat colleague went to EY.

The concept of "People Management" is completely missing at Flight Ops. They don't have a clue.

Even Sri Lankans are leaving for EY. That says it all right there. The number leaving are close to the maximum training capacity. Of course it's not just a numbers game - you can't replace experienced Pilots with Cadet Pilots.

Once again the real tragedy is that this could all have been avoided - there needs to be accountability.

Any update on the 2nd A321 for UL??