Sri Lanka Aviation

**WizzWaveSien** · 01-09-2024, 02:30 PM

Originally posted by MAW2000

Thanks,
Let us know when you got any news on cabin interiors of upcoming planes, specially Business class seats, model and make, IFE, and cabin configurations.

Hey MAW,
I'm pretty sure UL will stick to the classic 2-4-2 configuration in economy while maintaining a 1-2-1 configuration in business class. While also using the same Thales Avant inflight entertainment system on their previous A330s. I'm pretty sure UL won't be changing the business class layout and they will have lie-flat business class seats (hopefully). I am unaware as of what brand of seats, but I can guess its probably going to be Thompson Aero Seating, but I do know that economy class will have the same seats as on other previous a330s (Will probably be manufactured by Safran seats).

Other than that, its going to be same as the other A330s that UL has. These are just educated guesses. But I'll try my best to find more information about them.

**Serendib** · 01-09-2024, 07:30 PM

IndiGo commences daily Chennai-Jaffna flights

Colombo, September 1 (Daily Mirror) - IndiGo, a key Indian airline, commenced their flight operations between Chennai and Jaffna from today, the Airport and Aviation Services (Sri Lanka) (Private) Limited said.

They said the inaugural flight from Chennai to Jaffna arrived today at 3.05 p.m with 52 passengers and departed with 75 passengers. The aircraft was welcomed with a celebratory water cannon salute upon arrival at the Jaffna International Airport (JIA) and the passengers were warmly welcomed with traditional dance performances and special gift packs sponsored by the Sri Lanka Tea Board and the Department of Industries, Northern Province.

IndiGo operates non-stop daily flights between Chennai and Jaffna and passengers can book tickets via their official website www.goIndiGo.in or through their mobile app.

https://youtu.be/wXAF4ApU8p0?si=Vo2iscctjRRoQQZx

**banuthev** · 03-09-2024, 08:30 PM

Originally posted by WizzWaveSien

Hey banu, I believe these are the airframes that are gonna be coming to UL?, Others are either scrapped, preserved or old as far as I am aware, Please correct me if I am wrong. Most of these birds are 11 years old. There are other birds that thai has but there are above 14 years old, so i doubt UL will pick them up. All of these are under Aergo Capital by the way.

A330-300s

(MSN 1060)

(MSN 1086)

(MSN 1074)

(MSN 1037)

2 of these 4 A330-300s may come to UL.

I am unaware of the a330-200s that are coming to UL, but i do know it will be leased under ORIX aviation as far as I am aware. And I believe thai never really operated A330-200s? please someone confirm? cause I haven't been able to find any information regarding them operating a330-200s.

I can notice HS-TER did a test flight today at TEV.

Hi Skyliner, We heard that SriLankan Airlines is planning to lease ex-Thai A330-343s from the lessor Aergo capital & Orix Aviation. Do you know if HS-TER going to come for SriLankan?

Attached Files

**SHOCKWAVE** · 04-09-2024, 01:27 AM

MSN 1060 will be 4R-ALT. Expecting her arrival to CMB around mid September. Will update promptly.

**banuthev** · 04-09-2024, 06:37 AM

Originally posted by SHOCKWAVE

MSN 1060 will be 4R-ALT. Expecting her arrival to CMB around mid September. Will update promptly.

Thanks for confirming! Do we know which livery she carried during the air test at TEV yesterday?

**banuthev** · 04-09-2024, 06:45 AM

Originally posted by WizzWaveSien

It's possible, the first flight arrived with around 78 passengers as far as I am aware, not really great or ideal considering the max passengers for an A320NEO is 170 passengers, But I think the remaining passengers disembarked to the Maldives, I believe SL should market itself as a Bali/Phuket alternative to get more tourists and I think the free visa scheme being introduced is great and all, Sadly the VFS global controversy kind of slowed tourism. Hopefully tourism picks up during the winter months.

Air Seychelles has also reduced flights from SEZ TO CMB from twice weekly to once weekly and China Eastern has reduced KMG-CMB flights from daily to one weekly, they have also stopped serving the Maldives as well on their KMG-CMB-MLE route. Such a shame honestly!

I was reading from reuters. China's top airlines are making loss due to slow international travel : https://www.reuters.com/business/aer...ic-2024-08-30/

Chongqing Airlines is part of China Southern.

As per SriLankan website, SriLankan Airlines is planning to resume PEK & PVG from 1st Jan 25.

China's leading state-owned airlines posted losses in the first half of the year, weighed down by a slower-than-expected rebound in international travel, domestic oversupply, and more intense competition as aviation capacity returns globally.

China's top three airlines - Air China (601111.SS)
China Southern Airlines (600029.SS)
China Eastern Airlines (600115.SS)
last reported annual net profits in 2019 before the COVID-19 pandemic took hold.

"Ticket prices in the domestic market have decreased year-on-year ... due to intensified competition in the domestic passenger transportation market, lower-than-expected recovery of some international markets, as well as the competition from high-speed rail," it said in a filing.

**Serendib** · 04-09-2024, 07:53 AM

High-speed satellite internet connectivity for in-flight passengers

Cabinet approval has been granted to provide internet connectivity to passengers enabling them to use Wi-Fi facilities and GSM services on their mobile phones while in flight.

Accordingly, SriLankan Airlines Limited at present operates a fleet of 13 aircraft with internet facilities.

The proposal was presented by the Ports, Shipping and Aviation Minister to award the contract to Viasat Inc. to obtain Ka-band high-speed satellite technical internet connectivity to seven A330-300 model aircraft of SriLankan Airlines Limited for the period of 07 years under the said recommendations.

**WizzWaveSien** · 04-09-2024, 12:28 PM

Originally posted by SHOCKWAVE

MSN 1060 will be 4R-ALT. Expecting her arrival to CMB around mid September. Will update promptly.

Honestly, can't wait to see new birds at UL soon. Just a question, is UL planning to resume terminated routes? (i.e. CMB-ZRH, CMB-MXP, CMB-FCO)?

**skyline** · 04-09-2024, 08:32 PM

Originally posted by banuthev

Thanks for confirming! Do we know which livery she carried during the air test at TEV yesterday?

Still in VP-CRQ Rego and painted white

source : Teruel Airport

Attached Files

**umedhah** · 04-09-2024, 08:45 PM

Originally posted by skyline

Still in VP-CRQ Rego and painted white

Good news... When will the others be delivered

**banuthev** · 04-09-2024, 08:55 PM

Originally posted by skyline

Still in VP-CRQ Rego and painted white

Wow! Will it be delivered to UL in SriLankan livery? When it's going to be painted?

HS-TER was delivered to TG in Dec 2009. She flew for TG for almost 10 years. She was stored in BKK since covid for 3 years, stored NAP for 1 year and moved to TEV on the 17 Jul 2024.

**WizzWaveSien** · 05-09-2024, 03:27 AM

Originally posted by banuthev

Wow! Will it be delivered to UL in SriLankan livery? When it's going to be painted?

HS-TER was delivered to TG in Dec 2009. She flew for TG for almost 10 years. She was stored in BKK since covid for 3 years, stored NAP for 1 year and moved to TEV on the 17 Jul 2024.

She has been flying for over 15 years now. If she gets delivered to UL, it would be the oldest in the fleet a330-300 in the fleet!

**ULlove** · 05-09-2024, 05:33 AM

Originally posted by WizzWaveSien

She has been flying for over 15 years now. If she gets delivered to UL, it would be the oldest in the fleet a330-300 in the fleet!

Any reason why UL did not pick up the Ex. Hong Kong Airlines A330-300? They were built brand new and were sitting in Toulouse as Hong Kong Airlines did not take delivery of them. All MTOW 242T. Any reasons why??? U seem knowledgeable on the UL Fleet planning side?

**banuthev** · 05-09-2024, 07:13 AM

Originally posted by Haleef

No, but ABL and MRE will be leaving back to their respective lessors next year.

Thanks Haleef, Any aircraft to be leased for replacing ABL & MRE?

Originally posted by WizzWaveSien

Honestly, can't wait to see new birds at UL soon. Just a question, is UL planning to resume terminated routes? (i.e. CMB-ZRH, CMB-MXP, CMB-FCO)?

UL is planning to increase FRA from 3 to 4 weekly and resume PEK and PVG with 4 weekly terminator flights.

Originally posted by WizzWaveSien

She has been flying for over 15 years now. If she gets delivered to UL, it would be the oldest in the fleet a330-300 in the fleet!

if I am not mistaken, ALT, ALU, ALV, ALW are to be replace ALA, ALB, ALC, ALD. Since these are older A333s, i feel these better be used for medium haul routes such as BKK, SIN, KUL, DAC, DXB, RUH, JED, KWI, DOH and high density short haul such as MAA, MLE. UL better use current 7 x A330-343 for long haul routes only. UL better get brand new long haul aircraft, when time come for lease back of current 7 x A330-343 in 2026/2027.

Please correct me if am wrong.

**WizzWaveSien** · 05-09-2024, 07:35 AM

Originally posted by banuthev

Thanks Haleef, Any aircraft to be leased for replacing ABL & MRE?

UL is planning to increase FRA from 3 to 4 weekly and resume PEK and PVG with 4 weekly terminator flights.

if I am not mistaken, ALT, ALU, ALV, ALW are to be replace ALA, ALB, ALC, ALD. Since these are older A333s, i feel these better be used for medium haul routes such as BKK, SIN, KUL, DAC, DXB, RUH, JED, KWI, DOH and high density short haul such as MAA, MLE. UL better use current 7 x A330-343 for long haul routes only. UL better get brand new long haul aircraft, when time come for lease back of current 7 x A330-343 in 2026/2027.

Please correct me if am wrong.

Probably seems like it, I would much rather prefer UL to use older aircraft on short-medium haul routes like you just said, but UL also must also focus on maintaining those older products up to standards, some of their a320s and a330-200s are falling apart. But just to confirm, are ALT, and ALU replacements for the a330-300s that are gonna be leaving the fleet in 2026/2027? And are ALV and ALW replacements for a330-200s? UL said they would be leasing a330-300s from Aergo Capital and a330-200s from ORIX aviation. I haven't been able to track the a330-200s that UL is supposed to pick up sadly.

Sri Lanka Aviation

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