Sri Lanka Aviation

**RAHALROXZ** · 09-03-2016, 01:57 PM

Originally posted by banuthev

Hi Rahal.. Have they decided which SL registration going to be given to upcoming three A350s? Are you guys in engineering team receiving a training to handle A350?

hello..
I honestly have no idea about the registration code.
They have not yet decided about the engineering crew but I got a chance to be in the material handling team ( preparations) ... its a tough job because this is a brand new aircraft type

**RAHALROXZ** · 09-03-2016, 01:59 PM

Originally posted by anthonylk

So Rahal you are confirming that we getting our A350's ?

hello...
I cannot make such a statement mate

but yes, as far as I know we'll be getting our first 350 in August. ( +/- 1 month may be)
preparation is going on to receive it atm

**RAHALROXZ** · 09-03-2016, 02:04 PM

Originally posted by LukeSkywalker

Can you please let us know what is being planned for the remaining three aircraft of the 332 fleet? Are they set for retirement with no replacement (i.e. wide body fleet stays at 10)?

hello..
I've only seen the forecast until next April so no clue about returning ALH ALJ & ALD ... these lease agreements sometimes change, so some aircrafts remain longer than expected and some goes suddenly ... and these time frames change like weather in England

... so really cant predict mate

**banuthev** · 09-03-2016, 03:33 PM

Originally posted by RAHALROXZ

hello...
I cannot make such a statement mate

but yes, as far as I know we'll be getting our first 350 in August. ( +/- 1 month may be)
preparation is going on to receive it atm

According to Flightglobal, UL official said in the press meet in Manila few days ago that they will take delivery of three A350-900s and Six A320neos within two years. Other three A350s will be delivered later time.

**LukeSkywalker** · 10-03-2016, 02:48 AM

Originally posted by banuthev

According to Flightglobal, UL official said in the press meet in Manila few days ago that they will take delivery of three A350-900s and Six A320neos within two years. Other three A350s will be delivered later time.

Thanks Rahal & Banu; Looks like a one to one replacement of the 332 according to the article. https://www.flightglobal.com/news/ar...even-t-422822/

From that it looks like they have negotiated to not take up 2 A350 from the original order. It also does not seem that the 2 350s were re-negotiated for smaller aircraft as they say the fleet will stay constant at 21.

**TheF15Ace** · 10-03-2016, 05:46 AM

the fleet will stay constant at 21

I guess that means that some A320/321s will also be retired, because the article states that SriLankan is also expecting 6 A320neos.

**LukeSkywalker** · 10-03-2016, 10:15 PM

Originally posted by TheF15Ace

I guess that means that some A320/321s will also be retired, because the article states that SriLankan is also expecting 6 A320neos.

Aren't the 320s operated by UL fairly new? Looks like they might be returning them and swapping it with NEOs.

**lordvader** · 11-03-2016, 12:17 AM

Originally posted by RAHALROXZ

hello ...
as far as I know it was initially scheduled to be here in April. Then July and now August.
Since this is a brand new aircraft type, lots of preparation has to be done from our end. Also we need to get all the new spares and tools etc. ( this wasn't a problem when we getting 333s because spares were pretty much identical to 332s and 343s)
This is why it takes some time... and I'm sure Airbus is struggling too

Makes sense. Looks like CX's A350s are delayed as well: http://www.ausbt.com.au/cathay-pacif...ed-back-to-may

Pretty sure UL also uses Zodiac seats (at least I think they did in the new A330s).

Originally posted by banuthev

According to Flightglobal, UL official said in the press meet in Manila few days ago that they will take delivery of three A350-900s and Six A320neos within two years. Other three A350s will be delivered later time.

Thought UL is getting 4x A321neos around 2020 and MJ is getting 2x A320neos in the next few years? IMHO UL should start replacing its A320/1 fleet (the ones with MSNs below 4000) with neos soon to ensure a consistent customer experience with the new A330s (and 350s if they join the fleet).

**TheF15Ace** · 11-03-2016, 03:57 AM

Originally posted by LukeSkywalker

Aren't the 320s operated by UL fairly new? Looks like they might be returning them and swapping it with NEOs.

Indeed they are. According to planespotters.net only two of them are older than 10 years. But since most of them might be nearing the end of their lease it would make sense to replace them with newer aircraft.

**banuthev** · 11-03-2016, 07:57 AM

Originally posted by TheF15Ace

I've actually come across your site on quite a few occasions and find it extremely helpful.

Right now the fate of the A350s for UL are a bit uncertain, however if they do end up with the airline the first routes will probably see are hops to MLE and possibly MAA for crew to get time on type. Afterwards I expect to see the A350s fly the European sectors where it's fuel efficiency will come into play. Though it's possible we might see them in the Middle East as well China as SriLankan is very flexible with it's widebody fleet and sends them wherever the capacity is needed.
The limiting factor is that there will be only 3 A350s so there won't be much slack in the fleet. I guess we'll know soon enough.

BTW A350-XWB thank you for the update regarding MSN-52

I heard UL will be using A350s on China and Europe sectors.

**banuthev** · 11-03-2016, 10:43 AM

Originally posted by lordvader

Makes sense. Looks like CX's A350s are delayed as well: http://www.ausbt.com.au/cathay-pacif...ed-back-to-may

Pretty sure UL also uses Zodiac seats (at least I think they did in the new A330s).

Thought UL is getting 4x A321neos around 2020 and MJ is getting 2x A320neos in the next few years? IMHO UL should start replacing its A320/1 fleet (the ones with MSNs below 4000) with neos soon to ensure a consistent customer experience with the new A330s (and 350s if they join the fleet).

I think UL will still take delivery of 4x A321neos around 2022/3 when the lease agreement expire for the current 4x new A320s (ABM to ABP).

6x A320neos which have been ordered recently are coming within two years to replace definately ABK, ABL, ABQ & ABR and *other two aircraft in UL or MJ fleet. I'm not sure about the exact aircraft type for those *other two aircraft which are also going to be replaced by A320neos within two years. I'm not sure if SL Gov still have plans to get two A320neos for MJ.

There are several changes to come up for UL/MJ network. As previously mentioned by UL official, UL's AIS is not currently showing five frequency for FRA. MJ seems to be downgrading CGK service to 4 weekly and increasing flights to BAH. I think UL/MJ is still revising the summer 2016 network. I will post here the network changes update once they have confirmed in AIS.

**Max** · 12-03-2016, 04:59 AM

A321 Neo LR - Extended Range Version

The A321neo weight variant with increased MTOW of 97 tons called A321 Neo LR (LR = Long-Range) transports 206 passengers in a 2-class layout with increased range to 4,000 nmi (7,400 km; 4,600 mi) by using three additional 2,990 L fuel tanks. An extended 2-class layout additionally including a premium economy class with 164 passengers allows a range of up to 4,100 nmi (7,600 km; 4,700 mi).

Airbus predicts an A321LR gives overall 25–30% lower operating cost depending on the number of seats.

Air Lease Corp. (ALC) was the launch customer.

The A321 Neo LR will be the perfect aircraft for SriLankan to replace the A320.

**Godofpower** · 13-03-2016, 05:54 AM

UL to be privatized and loss making SOEs to be restructured? The source is pro Rajapaksa and is mostly anti privatization fear mongering though

Divaina | Breaking Sri Lanka News & Top Stories in Sinhala

http://www.divaina.com/2016/03/13/news01.html

From politics and technology to entertainment and beyond, we provide real-time coverage you can rely on, making us your dependable source for 24/7 news.

**Haleef** · 13-03-2016, 07:38 AM

SriLankan still not stopped the FCO (Rome) route? Or have they started the route again? As per my dad's roster, I see a FCO flight (2 days stay) on the 31st of March.

**banuthev** · 13-03-2016, 02:29 PM

Originally posted by Haleef

SriLankan still not stopped the FCO (Rome) route? Or have they started the route again? As per my dad's roster, I see a FCO flight (2 days stay) on the 31st of March.

Hi Haleef, Hope the weekend is going well for you!! SriLankan will be operating Rome until 30 Apr but I heard that SriLankan will retain the slots at Rome for re-assessment likely in two years time. Any chance Italian air carriers taking advantage of Colombo route after termination of SriLankan flights to Italy.

Sri Lanka Aviation

Comment

Comment

Comment

Comment

Comment

Comment

Comment

Comment

Comment

Comment

Comment

Comment

Comment

Comment

Comment