Sri Lanka Aviation

**Serendib** · 13-10-2024, 08:51 AM

Originally posted by WizzWaveSien

Hey Banu, thank you for your breakdown, appreciate it.
I believe UL should replace their A332 fleet with A339s and replace their A333s with A350s, since the A339 has almost a similar range compared to the A332 and can carry more passengers. The A338 isnt really worth it in my opinion, it has the same range as the A350 but it carries less passengers. So UL would be better off with an A350, But anyway, I wonder why they are sticking to the A330s and not upgrading to other models? is it relating to training or something?

However, this is all my opinion though, but I'm pleased that UL is getting new generation aircraft, it if materializes of course.

Is that true?

UL looking for Boeing jets as part of its fleet diversification strategy.
Expansion plans include issuing a Request for Proposals (RFP) for 42 aircraft leases, set to take place in late 2024
Plans to increase its fleet size from 24 to 35 aircraft over the next three years

SriLankan Airlines, the national carrier of Sri Lanka, has unveiled ambitious plans to expand its fleet over the next three years.The airline aims to increase its aircraft count from 24 to 35, replacing aging jets and adding new planes to support its growth strategy and meet the rising demand for travel to and from the island nation.
Despite the ongoing economic challenges in Sri Lanka, the carrier is determined to modernize its fleet and improve its operational efficiency through this fleet expansion initiative.

The airline's expansion plans include issuing a Request for Proposals (RFP) for 42 aircraft leases, set to take place in late 2024.

This strategic move will allow SriLankan Airlines to carefully evaluate and select the most suitable aircraft to drive its long-term growth.

The fleet expansion is expected to include a mix of narrow-body and wide-body aircraft, catering to both domestic and international routes, potentially leading to increased passenger capacity and enhanced service offerings for travelers.

SriLankan Airlines plans to increase its fleet size from 24 to 35 aircraft over the next three years, a significant 45% expansion.

The airline's fleet currently consists entirely of Airbus aircraft, but it is exploring the possibility of introducing Boeing jets as part of its fleet diversification strategy.

Despite the economic crisis in Sri Lanka, SriLankan Airlines is forging ahead with its ambitious fleet expansion plan, demonstrating its confidence in the long-term growth potential of the aviation market.

The airline has already leased two Airbus A330-300 wide-body aircraft, with the lease period extending for 8 years, indicating its commitment to investing in larger, more fuel-efficient aircraft to serve its long-haul routes.

SriLankan Airlines' upcoming RFP for 42 aircraft leases in late 2024 is expected to attract significant interest from global aircraft leasing companies, as the airline's expansion plans offer attractive opportunities for growth.

The airline's fleet modernization efforts could potentially lead to the introduction of advanced in-flight technologies, such as high-speed internet and enhanced entertainment systems, to enhance the passenger experience on board its flights.

Source dated june 2024

SriLankan Airlines to Expand Fleet RFP for 42 Aircraft Leases Set for Late 2024

https://www.mightytravels.com/2024/06/srilankan-airlines-to-expand-fleet-rfp-for-42-aircraft-leases-set-for-late-2024/

SriLankan Airlines to Expand Fleet RFP for 42 Aircraft Leases Set for Late 2024 - Fleet Expansion Plans Unveiled for SriLankan Airlines SriLankan...

**banuthev** · 13-10-2024, 08:55 AM

Originally posted by WizzWaveSien

Last two Maldivian flights from MLE-CMB were cancelled due to the lack of suitable aircraft to fly that route i believe as their main A320 (8Q-IAN) is out of service for maintenance, but however Maldivian seems to be deploying their ATR 72-600s for routes to india.

As for Turkish Cargo, i believe they are still operating flights to CMB? but i have seen their aircraft these days on approach from BOM and MAA.

Cathay Cargo has already stopped serving CMB awhile ago I believe, they have slot in CMB from flights to MAA and HKG, not sure why they stopped.

As for Iran Air Tour, I believe its due to lack of passenger demand or tensions that is ongoing currently. Will have to wait and see.

Thanks, Can you please share the flight number of the Turkish Cargo flights to CMB? I see Arkia also cancelled flying to CMB due to ongoing tensions in Middle East.

Terra Avia Cargo is flying HKG-CMB-JOH-HKG route twice a week. Every Wed & Sun. B74F.

DATE FROM TO FLT DEP ARR
12-Oct-24 Johannesburg (JNB) Hong Kong (HKG) T84713 17:00 11:32

09-Oct-24 Colombo (CMB) Johannesburg (JNB) T84714 19:15 23:19

09-Oct-24 Hong Kong (HKG) Colombo (CMB) T84714 15:13 17:36

08-Oct-24 Johannesburg (JNB) Hong Kong (HKG) T84713 17:00 11:28

06-Oct-24 Colombo (CMB) Johannesburg (JNB) T84714 17:13 21:31

06-Oct-24 Hong Kong (HKG) Colombo (CMB) T84714 13:24 15:39

Live Flight Tracker - Real-Time Flight Tracker Map | Flightradar24

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The world’s most popular flight tracker. Track planes in real-time on our flight tracker map and get up-to-date flight status & airport information.

Since 05-Oct, BBN Airlines is flying regular cargo flights between CMB & MLE onboard B73F. Does anyone have information about this?

Pictures of BBN Cargo are available on our "Plane Spotting thread"

DATE FROM TO FLT DEP ARR
13-Oct-24 Male (MLE) Colombo (CMB) 7B1022 09:47 11:32

13-Oct-24 Colombo (CMB) Male (MLE) 7B1021 05:15 05:54

12-Oct-24 Male (MLE) Colombo (CMB) 7B1024 16:04 17:50

12-Oct-24 Colombo (CMB) Male (MLE) 7B1023 13:21 14:03

12-Oct-24 Male (MLE) Colombo (CMB) 7B1022 08:21 10:06

12-Oct-24 Colombo (CMB) Male (MLE) 7B1021 05:34 06:11

11-Oct-24 Male (MLE) Colombo (CMB) 7B1024 23:45 01:28

11-Oct-24 Colombo (CMB) Male (MLE) 7B1023 21:19 22:00

11-Oct-24 Male (MLE) Colombo (CMB) 7B1022 16:42 18:25

11-Oct-24 Colombo (CMB) Male (MLE) 7B1021 14:10 14:50

10-Oct-24 Male (MLE) Colombo (CMB) 7B1024 01:04 02:48

09-Oct-24 Colombo (CMB) Male (MLE) 7B1023 21:22 22:01

09-Oct-24 Male (MLE) Colombo (CMB) 7B1022 08:23 10:06

09-Oct-24 Colombo (CMB) Male (MLE) 7B1021 05:32 06:23

Live Flight Tracker - Real-Time Flight Tracker Map | Flightradar24

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The world’s most popular flight tracker. Track planes in real-time on our flight tracker map and get up-to-date flight status & airport information.

Do you know any regular cargo flights to CMB other than Turkish Cargo, BBN Cargo, Terra Avia Cargo?

Originally posted by banuthev

4R-ABL is active since 11-Oct. Any reason why 4R-ABM is not flying since 10-Oct?

4R-ABM is back in the air

**banuthev** · 13-10-2024, 08:57 AM

Originally posted by Serendib

Is that true?

UL looking for Boeing jets as part of its fleet diversification strategy.
Expansion plans include issuing a Request for Proposals (RFP) for 42 aircraft leases, set to take place in late 2024
Plans to increase its fleet size from 24 to 35 aircraft over the next three years

Thanks for the update ! Any chance UL getting B777-300ER to serve LHR & MEL ?

Sri Lanka needs to invest more on Travel & Tourism ! Nice to hear positive news about Sri Lanka's Economy recently.

Sri Lanka’s economy has stabilized, with growth expected to reach 4.4 percent in 2024, surpassing earlier forecasts. This positive outlook follows four consecutive quarters of growth driven by the industrial and tourism sectors and supported by critical structural and policy reforms, says the World Bank.

https://orissadiary.com/sri-lankas-e...ct-investment/

Veteran hotelier, Chairman, Theme Resorts and Spa, Chandra Wickremesinghe said that it would be a good idea for the new management of Sri Lanka Tourism to have a joint destination marketing promotion with SriLankan Airlines rather than both working on their own.

“This would be more productive for both parties.”

He said in many countries this joint effect is very successfully launched and sighted Thai Airways for Thailand, Air France for France and Emirate for UAE.

Wickremesinghe also said that while SriLankan should try to launch more flights or increase capacity to European destinations the country must also try to woo airlines like British Airways, KLM and Lufthansa to fly direct to Colombo.

https://www.sundayobserver.lk/2024/1...eran-hotelier/

**WizzWaveSien** · 13-10-2024, 12:48 PM

Originally posted by banuthev

Thanks, Can you please share the flight number of the Turkish Cargo flights to CMB? I see Arkia also cancelled flying to CMB due to ongoing tensions in Middle East.

Terra Avia Cargo is flying HKG-CMB-JOH-HKG route twice a week. Every Wed & Sun. B74F.

Since 05-Oct, BBN Airlines is flying regular cargo flights between CMB & MLE onboard B73F. Does anyone have information about this?

Pictures of BBN Cargo are available on our "Plane Spotting thread"

Do you know any regular cargo flights to CMB other than Turkish Cargo, BBN Cargo, Terra Avia Cargo?

Hey banu, Here is the flight, its TK6051, on some scheduled days it operates but on some days it doesn't. No idea about any other cargo flights i'm afraid, but will update if i have info.

**WizzWaveSien** · 13-10-2024, 12:56 PM

Originally posted by banuthev

Thanks for the update ! Any chance UL getting B777-300ER to serve LHR & MEL ?

Sri Lanka needs to invest more on Travel & Tourism ! Nice to hear positive news about Sri Lanka's Economy recently.

Wasn't UL interested in 777 operations back in 2011 or in 2012 to replace their aging A340s? UL could have taken on a 777 if they still maintained the partnership with Emirates according to some sources. Deploying a 77W to serve LHR and MEL is possible if this plan comes to fruition, We just have to wait and see with the current government how things go, but however, wouldn't they stick to like the 787-9 or 787-8 or something? It would make sense because it is kind of a replacement and a substitute of A333s and A332s that UL has.

This is all wishful thinking, if UL decided to pick up an 77W and 787s down the road, it would be great! even if it's just for awhile. Would love to see 77W and the 787 with the Sri Lankan Livery.

**MAW2000** · 13-10-2024, 04:33 PM

Originally posted by WizzWaveSien

Great news! thank you for the update!! Any idea of the frequency?

Will keep you all posted, after the finalized. Still those routes are pending due to slot availability.

I hope if UL stops flying to small indian cities, like IXM TRV TRZ, VTZ, and focus on long haul routes like LHR FRA CDG, NRT, AMS, MXP Then 8D can takeover these routes.

However As per the Winter schedule DAC frequency is increased, from 2 weekly to 3 weekly flights. Time was changed and flight number was changed from 8D911/2 to 8D931/2.
No any frequency changes in CMB DXB CMB.

**A359** · 14-10-2024, 04:33 AM

Originally posted by MAW2000

Will keep you all posted, after the finalized. Still those routes are pending due to slot availability.

I hope if UL stops flying to small indian cities, like IXM TRV TRZ, VTZ, and focus on long haul routes like LHR FRA CDG, NRT, AMS, MXP Then 8D can takeover these routes.

However As per the Winter schedule DAC frequency is increased, from 2 weekly to 3 weekly flights. Time was changed and flight number was changed from 8D911/2 to 8D931/2.
No any frequency changes in CMB DXB CMB.

A cornerstone of UL's business plan is to connect secondary Indian cities to it's mid and long-haul destinations. Ideally UL needs to increase its frequency to its Indian destinations to double-daily so that passengers can connect through Colombo without long transfer times on both their inbound and outbound journey.

**banuthev** · 14-10-2024, 06:56 PM

Originally posted by MAW2000

Will keep you all posted, after the finalized. Still those routes are pending due to slot availability.

I hope if UL stops flying to small indian cities, like IXM TRV TRZ, VTZ, and focus on long haul routes like LHR FRA CDG, NRT, AMS, MXP Then 8D can takeover these routes.

However As per the Winter schedule DAC frequency is increased, from 2 weekly to 3 weekly flights. Time was changed and flight number was changed from 8D911/2 to 8D931/2.
No any frequency changes in CMB DXB CMB.

UL operated VTZ only from 2017 to 2019. If 8D have issues finding slots externally, why can't they lease the slots from SL-Gov as MJ operated 4 weekly to SHJ and UL operated double daily to TRV and almost daily to CCJ in the past. UL doesn't currently fly to SHJ and CCJ and hardly using the full slots at TRV. May be UL can do 1 daily and 8D can do 1 daily to TRV. Also Better 8D & UL enter with codeshare agreement too.

It is important 8D need to depart CMB between 7-9am & 12-14pm for CCJ & TRV flights and 18-19 for SHJ flights to give better connections for the pax.

Any idea why 4R-EXS is not flying recently?

Edited : Added extra content

**Serendib** · 14-10-2024, 07:04 PM

SriLankan Airlines Airbus pilots clash midair

Pilots of a SriLankan Airlines flight from Sydney to Colombo were involved in a tense verbal altercation, with one of them being locked out of the cockpit of an Airbus A330, aviation sources said.

SriLankan Airlines Airbus pilots clash midair | EconomyNext

https://economynext.com/srilankan-airlines-airbus-pilots-clash-midair-183533/

Pilots of a SriLankan Airlines flight from Sydney to Colombo were involved in a tense verbal altercation, with one of them being locked out of the cockpit of an Airbus A330, aviation sources said.

**banuthev** · 14-10-2024, 07:32 PM

Originally posted by Haleef

Delivery should be on 15th Oct. 2024, tentatively.

Any update on delivery of 4R-ALT ? I heard it's still parked in the same location in TEV. Can anyone confirm ? I wonder the aircraft delivery also delayed until general election over?

Restructuring of all state enterprises on hold till election is over on Nov 14. The official said the national carrier would not be sold off , but the new model of development would be taken after consultation with the new management appointed by the government recently .

https://www.dailymirror.lk/top-story...ver/155-293693

**banuthev** · 14-10-2024, 07:34 PM

Originally posted by A359

A cornerstone of UL's business plan is to connect secondary Indian cities to it's mid and long-haul destinations. Ideally UL needs to increase its frequency to its Indian destinations to double-daily so that passengers can connect through Colombo without long transfer times on both their inbound and outbound journey.

Please find the pre-covid flight sked for UL : https://lankaaviator.com/flightinfo/...an-nov2018.pdf . UL better to restore frequencies to India, Far East & Middle East soon.

There are news international airlines are leaving FRA due to high airport fees. Not sure if it's impacting UL, UL have plans to increase FRA to 4 weekly next year.

Germany: Rising costs and declining competitiveness threaten air traffic. Strong withdrawal of international airlines. : https://aviation.direct/en/Germany-r...en-air-traffic

**WizzWaveSien** · 15-10-2024, 05:12 AM

Originally posted by banuthev

Please find the pre-covid flight sked for UL : https://lankaaviator.com/flightinfo/...an-nov2018.pdf . UL better to restore frequencies to India, Far East & Middle East soon.

There are news international airlines are leaving FRA due to high airport fees. Not sure if it's impacting UL, UL have plans to increase FRA to 4 weekly next year.

I don't believe it is impacting UL yet, since UL is going to be switching from CMB-CDG-FRA tri-angular routing to CMB-CDG and CMB-FRA next year, I believe these routes will be deployed using A332s? Please correct me If i am wrong.

Also, any update on UL's full fleet getting activated by the end of this year? Would love to see the remaining A32Ns and A32Qs back in operation.

**MAW2000** · 15-10-2024, 10:56 AM

Originally posted by banuthev

UL operated VTZ only from 2017 to 2019. If 8D have issues finding slots externally, why can't they lease the slots from SL-Gov as MJ operated 4 weekly to SHJ and UL operated double daily to TRV and almost daily to CCJ in the past. UL doesn't currently fly to SHJ and CCJ and hardly using the full slots at TRV. May be UL can do 1 daily and 8D can do 1 daily to TRV. Also Better 8D & UL enter with codeshare agreement too.

It is important 8D need to depart CMB between 7-9am & 12-14pm for CCJ & TRV flights and 18-19 for SHJ flights to give better connections for the pax.

Any idea why 4R-EXS is not flying recently?

Edited : Added extra content

Regarding 4R-EXS, some repairs are ongoing.

Please note, TRV SHJ CCJ are pending due to slot confirmation.
Additionally DOH is also the newest one.
Effective from Dec 1st.

**A359** · 15-10-2024, 02:42 PM

Originally posted by Serendib

SriLankan Airlines Airbus pilots clash midair

Pilots of a SriLankan Airlines flight from Sydney to Colombo were involved in a tense verbal altercation, with one of them being locked out of the cockpit of an Airbus A330, aviation sources said.

SriLankan Airlines Airbus pilots clash midair | EconomyNext

https://economynext.com/srilankan-airlines-airbus-pilots-clash-midair-183533/

Pilots of a SriLankan Airlines flight from Sydney to Colombo were involved in a tense verbal altercation, with one of them being locked out of the cockpit of an Airbus A330, aviation sources said.

Given that this is a 10-hour flight, wouldn't there be a third pilot on-board as well?

**banuthev** · 16-10-2024, 07:45 AM

Originally posted by Haleef

Delivery should be on 15th Oct. 2024, tentatively.

Originally posted by SHOCKWAVE

ABN - undergoing a maintenance check.
ALL - undergoing C check.
ALT - expect her arrival mid Oct .

4R-ALT is active on FR24. I think the engines are turned-on for the 1st or 2nd time after re-registration to 4R-ALT.

Can follow ALT's movements from this link : https://www.flightradar24.com/3790ad89

4R-ALT.jpg

Sri Lanka Aviation

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