Sri Lanka Aviation

**banuthev** · 10-02-2013, 09:58 PM

http://www.sundaytimes.lk/130210/new...bia-32686.html

Mattala gets priority over BIA

The Government will adopt an open skies policy allowing international carriers to operate freely at the Mattala Rajapaksa International Airport, Aviation Minister Priyankara Jayaratne said yesterday. (spookyflyer)

I believe they need to facilitate other infrastructure projects to make this project work i.e. direct trains from Colombo since it is the business capital and other domestic flights to reach to Hamanthota, and hotel projects in the area for passengers and tourists. I don’t think they just built an airport just for the sake of building a one without looking into the viability of the project. (daniel)

Surprised by seeing all the stupid comments made, people live in Colombo can always use CMB aka BIA. Mattala is mainly targeted to the tourists visiting our many tourist attractions located in southern region. Hope this will benefit even the domestic trips between Mattala & BIA. Lets hope for the best than whining as usual.... (charith)

HIA is the one of most importent project like Mahaweli.
Bcos Aviation INdustry in China and Middel East growing Rapidly. We should get the Advantage from both side.(pradeep)

You will see some European charters, Gulf LCCs, QR ... initially operating to HRI.

**lordvader** · 10-02-2013, 10:26 PM

Originally posted by Banuthev

So that means UL will place an order for new WB aircraft this year and deliveries starting from end of 2014. Let's wait for next three months to findout what WB type UL going to order? Any news from Insiders ?

The CEO also gave the following hint:

Chandrasena briefly profiled the plans forward stopping just short of naming who the prospective aircraft supplier would be despite probing questioning. He left the answer to the media saying "if you scan the industry, the options for the wide bodied long haul requirement are out there for everyone to see."

Page not found – The Island

http://www.island.lk/index.php?page_cat=article-details&page=article-details&code_title=72257

Daily English Language Newspaper in Sri Lanka

IMHO a split order between the A333 and 773ER could be good, with 773ER deliveries commencing later. IMHO they should also replace some of their older A320 fleet which dont yet have AVOD facilities (maybe with A320NEOs later).

Originally posted by Banuthev

Good move UL has to keep the strong presence in South Asia + the Maldives, where Oneworld is expecting more connections via CMB. UL flies almost 6 flights a day to the Maldives that will be biggest boost for Oneworld when UL join them. UL can launch new destinations like Mangalore, Kozhikode (re), Coimbatore (re), Goa (re) ... and more flights to Bengaluru, Trivandrum, Kochi ...

Yes, they should start serving these destinations. Maybe UL should add Pune, Hyderabad, Ahmedabad and Kolkata and leave the rest of the other Tier 2's to Mihin with its lower cost structure. Im guessing Mihin will join as a Oneworld affliate, like Dragonair.

**Sakith** · 11-02-2013, 04:42 AM

Originally posted by Banuthev

Me too looking forward to see the brandnew widebodies in our national carrier (UL) fleet. But it appears to be UL's financial situation is not allowing them to make an order for brandnew aircraft. I would suggest UL to lease some A332s until they make an order for brandnew widebodies.

As Serendib posted here earlier (http://www.airsrilanka.org/forum/sho...ull=1#post4717), UL is better refurbish the business and economy cabins in all A332s in the existing fleet. 4R-ALH (A332), young widebody aircraft in UL fleet, has returned to the service on 1st February 2013 after completing most of the Business Cabin Reworks. 4R-ALG (A332) is not in service since 1st February 2013, it looks like it has now been sent for maintanance or cabin refurbishment. Perhaps Shashanka / Sakith will share the pictures of the new cabin of 4R-ALH.

UIA Ukraine Airlines is already confirmed to get five ex-AI B772s.

@Sakith - FYI - As of today, UL is sending A343 (4R-ADA) to DEL as UL195. They regularly send A320s to DEL. Any idea why today they are using A343 ?

UL is better wait until some "metoo" carriers to use A350 and let them come up with the good record about this aircraft. Then UL can consider about A350. At the moment leasing A332s is a good choice for UL in my opinion.

Yep there were some days we sent 343 to DeL but loars wre the same and return too

**sm777** · 11-02-2013, 06:30 AM

The best ac for UL at this juncture would be the A330-300 HGW version which would give upto 290 pax + range and be a good replacement for the A340-300s. 777-300ER is too large (355 seats) for UL. Even Jet airways which is a much bigger airline than SriLankan is struggling to get the 77W profitable on routes except India-LHR.

**Azamh** · 11-02-2013, 10:57 AM

Guys i heard 4r~adg is going back to cx? And 3of 777-200 which cx bought in 1996 will be leased to ul sakith any idea?

Originally posted by sm777

The best ac for UL at this juncture would be the A330-300 HGW version which would give upto 290 pax + range

and be a good replacement for the A340-300s. 777-300ER is too large (355 seats) for UL. Even Jet airways which is a much bigger airline than SriLankan is struggling to get the 77W profitable on routes except India-LHR.

**Sakith** · 11-02-2013, 01:12 PM

Originally posted by sm777

The best ac for UL at this juncture would be the A330-300 HGW version which would give upto 290 pax + range and be a good replacement for the A340-300s. 777-300ER is too large (355 seats) for UL. Even Jet airways which is a much bigger airline than SriLankan is struggling to get the 77W profitable on routes except India-LHR.

Can 333 fly directly to LHR From CMB..

**Speedbird** · 11-02-2013, 03:25 PM

Originally posted by Sakith

Can 333 fly directly to LHR From CMB..

Try This...

http://www.airbus.com/aircraftfamilies/passengeraircraft/a330family/a330-300/performance/

**Sakith** · 11-02-2013, 08:22 PM

Originally posted by Azamh

Guys i heard 4r~adg is going back to cx? And 3of 777-200 which cx bought in 1996 will be leased to ul sakith any idea?

We didnt hear anything like that.. anyway cx dont use flatbeds for j class in their older 777. So it will be a big mess for business class passengers..

**lordvader** · 11-02-2013, 11:21 PM

Originally posted by Azamh

Guys i heard 4r~adg is going back to cx?

Pretty sure ADG is leased from a leasing company, not CX. So doubt it would go back. Especially since theyve ordered 773ERs. Maybe UL could get 3 of the older 777s as an interim replacement for the older 3 A343s, until it takes delivery of 773ERs??

Originally posted by Sakith

Can 333 fly directly to LHR From CMB..

Yes it can AFAIK. IMHO the new HGW version would be a better choice for UL than the 777.

**4R-ALA** · 12-02-2013, 04:02 AM

Hi all!!! I'm actually a new member, but to start off with, as for the WB replacement is concerned for UL, its better of they stick to Airbus rather than shifting to Boeing because that would mean additional training costs plus the A330-300 is a much better option since the B777 is just too much for UL. Only airlines like EK and QR are actually having good load factors with the B777 and its variants. As for our home airline, its better we go with A333 and we just have to wait and see how it goes in the next months to come.

**4R-ALA** · 12-02-2013, 04:22 AM

One more thing I would like to add is towards the human error part of aviation, its better for all airlines if they have a between fleet standardization - which means that cockpit hardware should be similar to all types of aircraft used in the carrier's fleet e.g: all airbus fleet or an all boeing fleet as this reduces the chances of human error. where as if any airline was to have a within fleet standardization sort of a thing which is having various air-crafts from different manufacturers in its fleet, it increases the chance of human error due the fact that it has variation in cockpit hardware. so its best if UL opts for the A333

**Azamh** · 12-02-2013, 08:57 AM

Originally posted by Sakith

We didnt hear anything like that.. anyway cx dont use flatbeds for j class in their older 777. So it will be a big mess for business class passengers..

Ya ,me to Mix of 777 & 332 is not an good idea.
BTW will really UL get any WB near future ?

**highflyer** · 12-02-2013, 01:36 PM

Originally posted by Banuthev

You will see some European charters, Gulf LCCs, QR ... initially operating to HRI.

Flights from BIA via Mattala - Operations at Sri Lanka’s second international airport in Mattala will begin on March 18.

Three days a week SriLankan Airlines flights from the Colombo - Mattala - Riyadh
Colombo - Mattala - Male by SriLankan Airlines
Mihin Lanka will fly to Colombo - Mattala - Budhgaya on Saturdays and Sundays

The spokesman said prestigious international carriers have been invited to fly to Mattala on an open skies policy without any binding obligations or regulations as we needed to market Mattala and divert a part of international flights to Mattala to avoid the increasingly congestion at BIA. Huge concessions have been offered for international airlines that use Mattala with discounts for ground handling. The government had already talked to several leading airlines to motivate them to use Mattala, he added.

http://www.dailymirror.lk/news/25698...a-mattala.html

**Max** · 12-02-2013, 01:56 PM

China Eastern Airlines to Start Mattala Service

China Eastern Airlines will fly from Shanghai to Colombo via Mattala. Its flights are scheduled for Mondays and Saturdays.

Another flight from Colombo to Beijing via Mattala operated by China Eastern Airlines.

Shanghai - Mattala - Colombo - Male - Shanghai

Beijing - Colombo - Mattala - Male - Beijing

http://www.dailymirror.lk/news/25698...a-mattala.html

**Azamh** · 12-02-2013, 02:29 PM

Why do they need via BIA & MATTALA it doesnt make any sens

Sri Lanka Aviation

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