Sri Lanka Aviation

**banuthev** · 26-03-2023, 10:08 AM

Originally posted by Gayan28

In a 320-200, no.

I like to see Fits Air flying Singapore or Bangkok routes because there aren't any budget airlines.

You're absolutely correct ! It's only UL is flying on BKK route with 8 weekly and UL have 7 weekly and SQ have 4 weekly on CMB-SIN route. Why Fitsair still grounded 4R-EXQ? I wonder what's the next new destination for Fitsair?

I wonder why Thai Airways and Thai Air Asia doesn't fly to Colombo ?

Sadnews ! Air France may not come back to Colombo next winter. Colombo has been removed from AF schedule in NW23. Why CMB didn't work well for AF?

**banuthev** · 26-03-2023, 10:10 AM

Originally posted by Haleef

ALA, B, C and H might go hopefully. Not sure of ALS though. Wondering which A330 will bear the OneWorld livery once ALH leaves.

SriLankan A332 4R-ALA is flying until 31-Mar-23. Is it the final UL flight for 4R-ALA?

**Haleef** · 26-03-2023, 02:29 PM

Originally posted by banuthev

SriLankan A332 4R-ALA is flying until 31-Mar-23. Is it the final UL flight for 4R-ALA?

Seems like it. It'll soon come to an end.

**banuthev** · 28-03-2023, 06:27 AM

SriLankan Airlines (UL, Colombo International) has issued a Request for Proposal for the dry lease of five A330-200s or A330-300s for six years with bids due by March 27, 2023.

The state-owned carrier expects the delivery of all five aircraft within 2023 under six-year contracts with an extension option.

The carrier expects to take the first two aircraft in May 2023, another two in August, and the final one in November. SriLankan's preference is for -200s with a maximum take-off weight of at least 233 tonnes or -300s with an MTOW of at least 238 tonnes. The airline did not specify a precise expected number of seats but stressed the aircraft would have to be equipped with lie-flat or flat-bed business class seats. The aircraft must not be older than 15 years at the time of delivery and have at least 12,000 flight hours, 8,000 flight cycles, and 36 months until its next C-Check.

SriLankan Airlines expects to utilise each aircraft for 4,750 flight hours and 1,000 flight cycles per year.

The carrier strongly prefers Rolls-Royce Trent 700 engines. Aircraft with other engine types will be considered only "if the engines are enrolled in an OEM power-by-hour maintenance agreement or the lessor agrees to provide substitution engines in-lieu of a shop visit event".

The RFP follows a tender in December 2022, which covered five A330s and five A320s. SriLankan Airlines said earlier it needed the five newly leased widebody aircraft to replace the current A330s, the leases of which are due to expire shortly. The ch-aviation fleets advanced module shows the airline's widebody fleet currently comprises five A330-200s, which are 20.5 years old on average, and seven -300s, which are 7.8 years old on average. All twelve aircraft are dry-leased: the -200s from Carlyle Aviation Partners (three), and AerCap (two), and the -300s from Avolon (six) and Air Lease Corporation (one). SriLankan confirmed to ch-aviation that three A330s are scheduled to leave the fleet in 2023 and all the other current widebodies gradually through 2027.

Hopefully UL have received the bids by yesterday?

Any idea which A330 type is suitable for UL ? is it -200 or -300?

I wonder which 3 x A330 are going to leave this UL year? Any idea which A332 have the good interior?

**Azamh** · 28-03-2023, 07:02 AM

Originally posted by banuthev

Hopefully UL have received the bids by yesterday?

Any idea which A330 type is suitable for UL ? is it -200 or -300?

I wonder which 3 x A330 are going to leave this UL year? Any idea which A332 have the good interior?

Hi

are they going to replace the old ones are these air crafts are additional? If yes Why they pick the old air crafts ?

**skyline** · 28-03-2023, 12:46 PM

New Cargo Airline: Air Colombo

**banuthev** · 30-03-2023, 06:05 AM

Originally posted by skyline

New Cargo Airline: Air Colombo

Hi Haleef, Is it true Air Colombo is going to start International Cargo operations from CMB?

**banuthev** · 30-03-2023, 06:07 AM

Originally posted by Azamh

Hi

are they going to replace the old ones are these air crafts are additional? If yes Why they pick the old air crafts ?

Hi Haleef, Any update on the bids for leasing A330s?

**banuthev** · 30-03-2023, 06:56 AM

SQ started flying B787-10 to CMB last week. Guess who is going to fly the next B787-10 ops to CMB?

It's EY

EY is going to increase flights to CMB from 5 to 6 weekly via MLE , effective June 2023.

B787-10 is flying on days Th & Su and B787-9 is flying on Mo, Tu , Fr, Sa from June 2023.

Any idea which aircraft EY is currently flying for CMB flights? Any reason why its choising to fly CMB via MLE from June 2023 ? Currently EY have nonstop flights between AUH-CMB.

**Haleef** · 30-03-2023, 08:18 AM

Originally posted by banuthev

Hi Haleef, Any update on the bids for leasing A330s?

Hi, no idea of anything yet. Sorry.

Originally posted by banuthev

SQ started flying B787-10 to CMB last week. Guess who is going to fly the next B787-10 ops to CMB?

It's EY

EY is going to increase flights to CMB from 5 to 6 weekly via MLE , effective June 2023.

B787-10 is flying on days Th & Su and B787-9 is flying on Mo, Tu , Fr, Sa from June 2023.

Any idea which aircraft EY is currently flying for CMB flights? Any reason why its choising to fly CMB via MLE from June 2023 ? Currently EY have nonstop flights between AUH-CMB.

EY operates both 787 and 321 on different days. Sometimes sudden equipment change. Probably the demand is high, so they decided to switch it to 787 then.
Also noticed that Edelweiss is going to fly direct ZRH - CMB and CMB - MLE instead of ZRH - MLE - CMB. They'll be flying till May 04th of this year.
Timings also have changed and they'll be operating 2 flights a week (Sunday and Wednesday) from mid November instead of 1 flight on Thursday.

**Serendib** · 30-03-2023, 09:00 PM

In the upcoming quarter, FitsAir plans to announce three new international destinations.

👍

FitsAir expands with daily flights to Dubai

Privately owned international airline FitsAir yesterday increased the frequency of its flights to and from Colombo to Dubai daily.

The decision to increase the frequency of flights from four times a week to daily comes as a response to requests from travellers between the two countries and as well as in anticipation of a rise in demand during the upcoming Sinhala and Tamil New Year.

The route is also popular amongst travellers as a transit destination for long haul flights.

Fits Aviation Ltd. Director Ammar Kassim said: “We are excited to announce that we have increased the frequency of our Colombo to Dubai service to a daily service. This enhancement of our service reflects our commitment to provide seamless point to point connectivity.

The new daily flights offer passengers an excellent opportunity to explore Dubai, one of the world’s most popular tourist destinations, and a hub for business travellers. With a wide range of attractions, including world-class shopping, luxurious accommodations and thrilling adventures, Dubai has something to offer everyone.

FitsAir also added a new destination by introducing flights between Colombo and Chennai recently. The airline has been expanding its operations since the launch of air passenger services in October 2022, demonstrating its testament and dedication to offering customers more travel choices and better connectivity.

Focusing on delivering practical travel solutions at competitive rates, FitsAir aims to establish itself as a friendly low-cost Srilankan airline, making travel accessible to all. In the upcoming quarter, FitsAir plans to announce three new international destinations.

https://www.lankabusinessnews.com/fi...ghts-to-dubai/

What do you think will be the next destinations anncounced from FitsAir from Colombo?

My Top 3 picks are:

- Bangalore
- Bangkok
- Singapore

**Serendib** · 30-03-2023, 09:30 PM

Originally posted by Haleef

Hi, no idea of anything yet. Sorry.

EY operates both 787 and 321 on different days. Sometimes sudden equipment change. Probably the demand is high, so they decided to switch it to 787 then.
Also noticed that Edelweiss is going to fly direct ZRH - CMB and CMB - MLE instead of ZRH - MLE - CMB. They'll be flying till May 04th of this year.
Timings also have changed and they'll be operating 2 flights a week (Sunday and Wednesday) from mid November instead of 1 flight on Thursday.

Wow 🥰 I was surprised when they added Colombo in Month May in their flight booking. Any reason for route change ZRH>CMB>MLE?

Wed. 17:15 07:45 (+1d)
Sun.18:20 08:50 (+1d)
Flight WK 064
Codeshare LX 8064
Aircraft type Airbus A343

Mon. 10:20 16:40
Thu. 09:15 15:35
Flight WK 065
Codeshare LX 8065
Aircraft type Airbus A343

**Aaqib** · 30-03-2023, 11:42 PM

Happy to hear about FitsAir’s expansion plans
Agree that Bangalore, Singapore and Bangkok will probably be on the cards as new destinations
However with just two aircraft in their fleet, I highly doubt they’d go with two Far East destinations

I recall that Jetstar were to begin CMB-SIN but never materialized due to COVID

TRZ has quite a lot of demand too which can ideally be served by their ATR via. JAF

I do feel that FitsAir should enhance connectivity to Indian Destinations
Best way forward is via. the Indian Market, with a regional focus for Optimal Aircraft Utilization

MAA 2X Daily
BLR 5X Weekly
CCU & HYD 3-4X Weekly (Currently do not have direct connectivity, previously served by UL)

**banuthev** · 31-03-2023, 09:07 AM

Originally posted by Aaqib

Happy to hear about FitsAir’s expansion plans
Agree that Bangalore, Singapore and Bangkok will probably be on the cards as new destinations
However with just two aircraft in their fleet, I highly doubt they’d go with two Far East destinations

I recall that Jetstar were to begin CMB-SIN but never materialized due to COVID

TRZ has quite a lot of demand too which can ideally be served by their ATR via. JAF

I do feel that FitsAir should enhance connectivity to Indian Destinations
Best way forward is via. the Indian Market, with a regional focus for Optimal Aircraft Utilization

MAA 2X Daily
BLR 5X Weekly
CCU & HYD 3-4X Weekly (Currently do not have direct connectivity, previously served by UL)

Hi Aaqib Haleef, How many aircraft are in Fitsair current fleet? I thought FitsAir have 3 x A320s (EXQ, EXR, EXS)

Can you please confirm?

UL is already flying to HYD.

**banuthev** · 31-03-2023, 09:09 AM

Originally posted by Haleef

Hi, no idea of anything yet. Sorry.

EY operates both 787 and 321 on different days. Sometimes sudden equipment change. Probably the demand is high, so they decided to switch it to 787 then.
Also noticed that Edelweiss is going to fly direct ZRH - CMB and CMB - MLE instead of ZRH - MLE - CMB. They'll be flying till May 04th of this year.
Timings also have changed and they'll be operating 2 flights a week (Sunday and Wednesday) from mid November instead of 1 flight on Thursday.

Hi rami @Haleef,

Nice to hear! I wonder if WK have demand for flying year-round flight between ZRH and CMB? There are plenty of Sri Lankan communities are in Switzerland.

Sri Lanka Aviation

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