Sri Lanka Aviation

Great news!! Thanks for sharing the update!! It's a good decision SriLankan is replacing older A320 with A321 which has more capacity to support the growing pax demand in SriLankan's regional network. I think msn 3636 will become as 4R-ABR which will replace the 8.9 years old 4R-ABJ.

Any idea whether this msn 3636 will also get UL-cabin configuration in Shannon before it get delivered to SriLankan. What's the delivery date? Last time SriLankan took delivery of 4R-ABQ with Qatar's interiors later they sent the aircraft to ZRH for a cabin upgrade works. It will be better if they complete the UL-cabin configuration deliver the aircraft to SriLankan. 4R-ABR better get ONEWORLD livery Currently only 4R-ALH is the aircraft that carries the ONEWORLD livery in the SriLankan fleet which currently operates 6-A343s, 7-A332s, 7-A320s, 1-A321. Perhaps SriLankan also will get A7-ADZ from CIT as well before end of this year, if I am not mistaken.

well said. even I wanna see a regional a/c painted with the oneworld livery. since is UL is replacing the 4 older a320s, so does that mean they are getting 4 ex QR a321s in total??

Any pics of 4R-ABQ after the refurb in ZRH??? The Interior only with the 16/153 config?

Did UL uggrade interiors with IFE?

Cathay Pacific begins nonstop flight Colombo - Hong Kong 4 times a week!

Cathay Pacific from 27OCT14 is introducing new nonstop service to Sri Lanka, where the oneWorld member operates Hong Kong – Colombo service 4 times a week, on board Airbus A330-300 aircraft. This service will replace existing 1-stop service via Singapore.

Nonstop operational schedule as follow.
CX611 HKG1950 – 2310CMB 333 3
CX611 HKG2010 – 2330CMB 333 15
CX611 HKG2030 – 2350CMB 333 6

CX610 CMB0035 – 0835HKG 333 4
CX610 CMB0045 – 0845HKG 333 26
CX610 CMB0105 – 0905HKG 333 7

Existing 3 weekly Hong Kong – Bangkok – Colombo service will see Airbus A340-300 operating from 26OCT14 to 30NOV14, A330-300 from 02FEB14. This route is currently operated by Boeing 777-300.

The new A321's will have IFE

It has IFE, but cannot use it because we use the Rave System and Matsusitha system

what do u mean can't use it??

Sri Lankan Airlines in 2008: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JzxDqhH3UL4

2008

This was the year I went from flying A320/A330 to flying A330/A340.

I flew every aircraft in the fleet.

I missed flying the entire route network by 1.5 sectors (missing a landing in Paris and a Milan flight).

Good times/good people/good memories.

SriLankan Revenue increases in First Quarter

SriLankan Airlines (SLA) has entered into the One World Alliance to expand its global presence by linking over 800 new destinations worldwide.

In accordance with the Government’s policy to position Sri Lanka as an aviation and a tourism hub, SLA was recapitalized in line with the 2014 Budget Proposals to strengthen its financial position enabling it to make an effective contribution to the aviation and tourism sectors. In 2014,the Government infused Rs 19.81 billion by way of Treasury Bonds in part fulfilment of the Cabinet decision of 2011 to infuse capital to SLA totaling USD 500 million(or Rs. 60 billion) over a five year period commencing 2012.By end April 2014, the Government has provided capital amounting of Rs 46.69 billion to SLA.

In addition, SLA obtained a syndicated loan of USD 150 million in April 2014 for a period of five years(with a government guarantee of USD 50 million) the proceeds of which were used to settle USD 112.5 million outstanding loan obtained from Meshreq Bank UAE.In June 2014, SLA successfully issued an International Bond of USD 175 million with a 100% sovereign guarantee for the purpose of raising funds for working capital requirements and re‐fleeting purposes. SLA’s revenue for the first four months of 2014 increased by 2 percent to Rs. 27.8 billion compared to Rs. 27.4 billion in same period 2013.

However, SLA’s operating loss for the period was Rs8.4 billion and the accumulated loss amounted to Rs82 billion. With the re‐fleeting programme expected to be carried out over the next 7 years period and the marketing and promotional strategies to be launched, SLA expects to break even by 2020. (ST/KH)

SriLankan Airlines plans to operate one-off Colombo – Guangzhou NONSTOP service, during China’s October (2014) holiday week. From Guangzhou, service operates nonstop on 30SEP14, while Colombo departure operates nonstop on 05OCT14.

UL1883 CAN1835 – 2140CMB 332
UL1882 CMB0900 – 1715CAN 343

Malaysia to implement visa fee exemption for Sri Lankan tourists

Malaysia plans to implement visa fee exemption for China, India, Pakistan, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka tourist (people.com, 12-Aug-2014). Malaysian Deputy Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin stated this move is mainly to resolve the impact of the two Malaysia Airlines incidents, with plans to implement in 3Q2014 or 2015.

They had this facility back in 2008 and withdrew it after a while due to abuse.

Then they re-introduced it in more restricted way where Sri Lankan passport holders with residency in a second country were allowed Visa on arrival.

Eventually they withdrew that as well.

As you can imagine, it was utter confusion those days as sometimes the airline would not allow boarding as they were not aware of the various rule changes.

Hope this time around they make this a more permanent facility.

Actually now they have installed new ones in every seat and is now usable -Got the news from dad (He works in the airline)