Sri Lanka Aviation

It's not really about O&D demand between AMS and CMB, it's about the transit demand between Europe/N America and CMB. The main issue is that the gulf carriers have this market by the throat and the European airlines can barely get an edge in. The one advantage of KL into CMB would be to access Canada.

I feel like KLM stands the best chance of all European airlines of operating successfully into CMB. KLM has a strong UK market (they fly to 13 airports there), who often transit through their AMS hub. They also have amazing connections with North and South America from Asia. Netherlands is also the biggest Western European market not served by direct flights into Sri Lanka. Furthermore, SkyTeam needs a better presence in Lanka, especially from Europe. They often have competitive prices for connections via Europe, and also offer what, in my opinion, is some of the best service amongst European carriers, especially in the premium market.

CMB will not be a good pick for KLM. Again it is not AMS terminator traffic but continuing traffic that will make it viable. KLM has strong African presence but it is too far north for passengers to connect. Better served by Middle Eastern Carriers. North American destinations BA is there as one world feeder. Same goes for Europe. Hardly any South American traffic between CMB and SA eventhough KLM has strong presence. The by gone days KL operated B742 as AMS KHI CMB. This meant there was KHI CMB traffic as well. Not to forget that that in the 1990s expect GF middle Eastern carriers were no where

Also INIDA is well served by both KL and AF which are virtually the same airline so CMB with own metal makes no sense

Last but not least filling seats is and maintaining a high load factor will be a must from day from day one as KL aircrafts are with very few J seats and majority.

I totally agree. If KLM can make it work with Bali ( a long haul, leisure-based destination), then I feel it can possibly make CMB work. Agree, a 5 weekly Airbus 330 service would be ideal. The selling point will be connections to North America, Benelux, Scandinavia and nearby cities in Germany.
KLM is really the only major European airline that can make CMB work.

delivery was 29-30sep14 ZRH-KWI-CMB, sorry my delay but was away on vacations. Next time maybe to Sri Lanka

Hey guys Just wanted to ask what's up with the engine of this aircraft ?? Is it an A321 or 320 ?? Does anyone know why the engine is half way painted ?? o.O strange...

When this picture was taken? I think this is 4R-ABK which had a bird-strike in TRZ on 21/9/2014. It looks like they havn't paint the engine after repair. They should've taken the picture of the different aircraft instead of showing their repaired engine to the whole-world.

This picture was taken today (October 1st) when these children went on a trip to Mattala for the Children's day celebrations Lol your correct

That unpainted part is called a C-Duct.comprises of two halves...these cover the core engine.they must've replaced it with either a new or a loaned item.painting must've been deferred due to ground time restrictions....quite common....

And the engine on ABK if I remember is a CFM-56 while the one in the pic is a V2500....so the aircraft isn't ABK....and definitely not a A321 since one would have a big emergency door aft of the L1 door instead of those two small escape hatches.....

Looks like Thai airways have already started the A330 service to CMB . According to flightradar24. http://www.flightradar24.com/data/flights/tg2901/

this was organized by SLRC i was also trying to joing it but couldn't . When i saw the visuals it was an a340 . but i cant find it on flight radar24

4R-ADE is operating as UL 4571 to Rome today with VVIPs.

Presidential VIP air craft 4R-ADE

From 1st Dec 2014, SriLankan will be launching nonstop flights to Kunming which is the capital and largest city in Yunnan Province, Southwest China. SriLankan's new Kunming flight to be operated four weekly utilising state of art Airbus A320-200 with flight numbers UL828 and UL829. According to FT, China overtakes Germany to be 3rd biggest source market for tourists for Sri Lanka. First 7 months arrivals up 144% to 67,408; full-year figure likely to be over 100,000. Recently SriLankan Airlines launched nonstop flights to Shanghai and Beijing pays dividends enjoy near 100% cabin factor. As per expansion plans, SriLankan launched charter flights to Chongqing with once a weekly flight via Bangkok from 1st July 2014. SriLankan Airlines currently serve Beijing (four weekly), Shanghai (four weekly), Guangzhou (four weekly), Hong Kong (three weekly) & Chongqing (once weekly) in China. Please note Colombo-Kunming route is already been served by China Eastern with three weekly onboard B737. SriLankan Airlines has plans to add more destinations in China in the future. Guys any idea if this Kunming route will become profitable for SriLankan? share your views..

CMB - KMG - 18:35 - 01:50 - UL828 - A320 - Mon We Fr Su - 04:45hrs (effec 1st Dec 2014)
KMG - CMB - 02:55 - 05:45 - UL829 - A320 - Mo Tu Th Sa - 05:20hrs (effec 2nd Dec 2014)

UL business class , nice video.