Sri Lanka Aviation

I am not sure if you are aware of the word respect...but again here is quick summary on airline business. Well UL is close to bankruptcy, unless it receive a cash injection of $500 million from the government; but again not sure if this funds would be available if the Sri Lankan forex reserves deprecate very rapidly; any way this is not an issue for some one who is living in OZ. True there are more travel between OZ and rest of the world that is because of artificially high AUD (commodity prices are high) but again Euro was high couple of years back. Now lets look at Ex-Sri lankans in OZ well most of them are prices conscious and previously most of them worked in public transport sector; it does not matter if it UL or MH if the prices is lower they will choose the lower. And again most prefer to stop in SIN coz there is lower GST for goods purchased than in OZ. There are more Greeks in the rest of world than in Greece; specially cities like Melbourne is considered second largest Greek population outside Athens. But again Olympic airline went bankrupt, Greek government subsides could not continued forever. If UL is considering number of ex-Sri Lnakan as the primary criteria to operate flights then there is big issues; for example EY/EK operate more than 100+ flights to OZ this manly competing in kangaroo route and to transfer Europeans to OZ. If they are catering to Oz-Emiratis then there would be not a single flight to Australia. Today UL is crumbling under debt, what it requires is consolidation not expansion. Today people do not fly airlines for pride that was yesteryear. Today passenger is customer and they demand service and at a lower cost. There are cities in North America which has more Ex-Sri Lankan or Indian population than the total Ex- Sri lankan or Indian population of Australia and New Zealand combined; but that does not mean it is viable option to UL to operate here with current debt load. By the way here is something about Winnipeg which is the home base for Boeing Canada and Thomson MB is the cold weather testing place for RR and PW engines and conversation/thread ends... Au Revoir

I agree that UL should be looking at consolidation, rather than expansion at a time of great internal financial crisis.

Opening up new routes is a huge drain until they become profitable (if ever) and even if they do, that happens after several years, time that UL does not have.

They should get rid of the six aging A343s and slash unprofitable routes. They should also increase the frequency to existing profitable destinations. Flying to a destination 3-4 times a week does not help establish the brand, there should be daily flights.

There is no point in having bragging rights that UL now flies to so many destinations, when they are bleeding money and are on life support at the tax payer expense. This insanity has to stop!

SriLankan Airlines A330/A340 Components Handled By AFI KLM E&M

AFI KLM E&M inked a contract with SriLankan Airlines covering A340 and A330 component support.

The contract involves closed-loop repairs for six A330’s and six A340’s.

SriLankan Airlines to introduce ayurvedic therapists on-board

For the first time in the global aviation history, SriLankan Airlines will introduce Ayurvedic therapists on airline flights.

SriLankan Airlines Chairman Nishantha Wickramasinghe said that they have already entered into a contract with Siddhalepa Spa which already has a centre at the Colombo Airport. He said that this service would be made available for long haul destinations and would be offered to Business Class.‘’What we are planning is to have a therapist in flights to perform foot massage on air,’’ he said.

The Chairman said that airlines need to innovate and introduce luxury travel to meet modern day demands and also as a marketing tool to boost the airline. He said that this service is expected to commence from the end of the year in all European and London bound flights.

He said that Germany is a key market to them and they have been increasing the frequency of flights ‘We have increased the frequency from three times a week to four and by the end of the year we are contemplating a daily run ,’’ he said .

http://www.dailynews.lk/2012/03/09/bus01.asp

Mihin Lanka operates air services from Colombo to Dhaka but the Department of Commerce of Sri Lanka under the Ministry of Industry and Commerce believes that it would be appropriate if the existing Air Services Agreement is revisited to make it more responsive to current needs, including the facilitation of transport of air cargo.

Does anybody have pictures of Air Asia's inaugural BKK-CMB flight?

SriLankan Airlines on the 'Silk Route'

Business class passengers, departing Bandaranaike International Airport on SriLankan Airlines, to any of its 34 online destinations, could avail of a unique 'Silk Route' offer which streamlines check-in, customs, immigration & security formalities

The 'Silk Route' experience, is the latest addition to SriLankan's premium Business class product, commencing 15th March, 2012. There will be no more queues, as passengers will be met on arrival at the 'Silk Route' Departure entrance and escorted to the Silk Route Lounge, while all travel formalities are finalised and the Boarding Pass is handed to the passenger.

The press release issued by SriLankan Airlines further states passengers can then look forward to be pampered at SriLankan Airlines' Business Class lounge - Serendib, which offers a unique serene atmosphere with an exclusive 24-hour buffet which includes starters, main courses, salads, fruits, juices, snacks, desserts, alcoholic beverages and a choice of cocktails, smoothies and mocktails; Ayurvedic Spa treatment; sleepers for a quiet nap; shower rooms; smokers' room; and an Internet Café complete with WiFi Zone, movies, Cable TV and 3D Games.

" Our focus is to streamline the travel experience and with 'Silk Route' we open an exclusive area, available to SriLankan's Business Class and which is specially advantageous during peak times" said Saminda Perera, Country Manager, Sri Lanka & the Maldives.

Philippines has granted unlimited air rights to carriers from Malaysia, Sri Lanka and Vietnam to all points in the country except for Manila.

Two additional flights a week on the Manila-Colombo, Sri Lanka route.......

Nothing official has been announced about Colombo-Manila route although, according to FlightStats – a track flights status website – there are flights from Colombo-Manila on Tuesdays and Thursdays.

07:35 – 16:05 – MJ0804 – CMB-MNL – Days of Ops : Tu.Th – Duration : 05:30
17:15 – 20:40 – MJ0805 – MNL-CMB – Days of Ops : Tu.Th – Duration : 06:25

Thanks Banu .. 4R-ALJ Delivery 13 Mar .. MAN-CMB .. :-)

PIC http://www.flickr.com/photos/mmaviat...n/photostream/

4R-ALJ ' ferry flight is operating as UL1506 and it will reach CMB by 08:00 Local Time 14 Mar .

I been miffed for a while .. Why does MJ flights carry a 4 digit identifier ? Like Code shared flights ??

Kingfishers cancels operations to Colombo

Chennai – Colombo 1 Daily service Cancelled eff 25MAR12
Tiruchirapally – Colombo 1 Daily service Cancelled eff 25MAR12

by mmaviation