Sri Lanka Aviation

**A359** · 03-02-2025, 02:23 PM

Thanks for posting UL's schedule for the next few quarters, Banuthev.
Its good to see frequency being increased to quite a few destinations.
It looks like the separate flights to CDG and FRA are again being combined to a triangular routing three times a week, but with an additional direct flight to FRA?
However it is disappointing to see that the weekend flights to LHR being dropped from April. Those flights were convenient for onward connections to North America since they arrived in the morning. The daily UL flights arrive in the evening, requiring an overnight stop if connecting to a North American flight, which makes it unattractive for most people.

**Serendib** · 03-02-2025, 06:59 PM

New Bangalore-Jaffna flights in the works

A delegation from Indigo Airlines met with Nandalalingam Vethanayagam, Governor of the Northern Province, last week to discuss plans for launching flights between Bangalore and Jaffna. The discussions, described as “highly productive” by both parties, mark a significant step in expanding air connectivity between India and Sri Lanka. Indigo, which currently operates flights between Chennai and Jaffna, is now preparing to cater to the growing demand for travel between Bangalore and Jaffna. The decision follows the identification of a substantial number of passengers traveling between the two cities, including over 25,000 annual travelers for pilgrimage purposes

SL invited UAE based airlines to consider operating flights to HRI, a proposal that ambassador Al Ameri a knowledged would be reviewed

https://island.lk/new-bangalore-jaffna-flights-in-the-works/?fbclid=IwY2xjawIN78VleHRuA2FlbQIxMQABHUlvkOYpLGag B3ezzROl2TRkPDoOQBFFPyEdYYpxPaRFsQtdruxnYmsDgA_aem _Jve5QdO0-s_vKc_JfV_L8g

https://www.newsfirst.lk/2025/02/03/uae-to-invest-in-sri-lanka%E2%80%99s-ports-and-airports

**MAW2000** · 05-02-2025, 08:25 AM

Hi all,

8D (EXV) is increasing the flight frequency to DAC as adding two more flights per week D3, D7. (Previous frequency : D2, D4, D6) for the Winter 24, until 29th March 2025.

8D's CMB TRV CMB inaugural flight will be commence on 20th February as per the schedule.

Thanks

**A359** · 05-02-2025, 05:24 PM

https://www.dailymirror.lk/top-story...irs/155-301710

Per this article, the CFM56 engines on UL's A320s are to be overhauled by Lufthansa Technik. Doesn't SriLankan Engineering have the capability to do engine overhauls in-house?

**Serendib** · 05-02-2025, 08:28 PM

It has been decided to waive the landing fees for aircraft arriving at Mattala Airport.

This new decision has already garnered the agreement of six airlines to land their aircraft at the airport.

Mattala Airport has an annual passenger handling capacity of one million.

However, Deputy Minister Kodithuwakku pointed out that currently, only about 100,000 passengers use the airport annually. Plans are in place to increase this number to 200,000 within this year.

Additionally, Deputy Minister Kodithuwakku highlighted that the 17-kilometer-long security fence around Mattala Airport is in a state of disrepair. Steps are being taken to renovate the fence and ensure the security of the airport.

Mattala Airport Faces Annual Losses of Rs 3.2 Bn

https://english.newsfirst.lk/2025/02/05/mattala-airport-faces-annual-losses-of-rs-3-2-bn

COLOMBO (News 1st); The Ministry of Ports and Aviation has reported that Mattala Rajapaksa International Airport continues to incur annual losses amou - Get the latest breaking news and top stories from Sri Lanka, the latest political news, sports news, weather updates, exam results, business news, entertainment news, world news and much more from News 1st, Sri Lanka's leading news network.

**n863gt** · 06-02-2025, 09:29 AM

Originally posted by A359

https://www.dailymirror.lk/top-story...irs/155-301710

Per this article, the CFM56 engines on UL's A320s are to be overhauled by Lufthansa Technik. Doesn't SriLankan Engineering have the capability to do engine overhauls in-house?

I also saw this article, a bit strange that UL did this. will UL's A320s be ferried to Germany for repairs?
_edit: comments on this post suggest that UL engineering doesnt have all the required equipment(which are expensive)_

**ULlove** · 07-02-2025, 04:13 AM

n863gt

Lufthansa Technik has an operation out of Manila Philippines.

LH Technik probably has the spares to repair the engines.

**Serendib** · 07-02-2025, 05:58 AM

SriLankan Airlines plans to double its fleet to 50 aircraft within five years as Sri Lanka targets US $10 billion in annual tourism revenue by the end of the decade.

The National Carrier was in possession of 27 aircrafts in prior to the Covid-19 pandemic and currently has 22 aircrafts in its fleet.
“Our goal is to double the capacity in five years,” SriLankan Airlines Chief Executive Officer Richard Nuttall told Mirror Business speaking along the sidelines of the launch of Sri Lanka Conference Ambassador Programme (SLCAP) in Colombo this week.

By end 2025, SriLankan Airlines is planning to boost its capacity by 25-30 percent compared to end of last year by adding three wide-bodied aircrafts. Nuttall noted that arrangements are in place to procure three wide-bodied aircrafts on wet lease.

https://www.dailymirror.lk/business-...rs/273-301858#

**skyline** · 07-02-2025, 02:21 PM

Originally posted by Serendib

SriLankan Airlines plans to double its fleet to 50 aircraft within five years as Sri Lanka targets US $10 billion in annual tourism revenue by the end of the decade.

The National Carrier was in possession of 27 aircrafts in prior to the Covid-19 pandemic and currently has 22 aircrafts in its fleet.
“Our goal is to double the capacity in five years,” SriLankan Airlines Chief Executive Officer Richard Nuttall told Mirror Business speaking along the sidelines of the launch of Sri Lanka Conference Ambassador Programme (SLCAP) in Colombo this week.

By end 2025, SriLankan Airlines is planning to boost its capacity by 25-30 percent compared to end of last year by adding three wide-bodied aircrafts. Nuttall noted that arrangements are in place to procure three wide-bodied aircrafts on wet lease.

https://www.dailymirror.lk/business-...rs/273-301858#

Good idea! Better to add A320 ceo, A321 ceo, A330-243, A330-343- and A350-900

**Serendib** · 09-02-2025, 08:29 PM

Originally posted by MAW2000

Hi all,

8D (EXV) is increasing the flight frequency to DAC as adding two more flights per week D3, D7. (Previous frequency : D2, D4, D6) for the Winter 24, until 29th March 2025.

8D's CMB TRV CMB inaugural flight will be commence on 20th February as per the schedule.

Thanks

Great news!

plans are underway to increase the DAC frequency to six flights per week during the upcoming summer season.

**Serendib** · 09-02-2025, 08:31 PM

SriLankan Airlines on Sunday advertised for a new Chief Executive Officer (CEO), a post currently held by airline industry veteran Richard Nuttall.

The advertisement appeared in the February 9, 2025 issue of the Sunday Times.

Officials at the airline were unavailable for comment as to whether Nuttal’s tenure will be discontinued or whether he would serve another position in the airline.

SriLankan Airlines searching for new CEO

https://sundaytimes.lk/online/news-online/SriLankan-Airlines-searching-for-new-CEO/2-1148146

..

**MAW2000** · 11-02-2025, 03:22 AM

Originally posted by MAW2000

Hi all,

8D (EXV) is increasing the flight frequency to DAC as adding two more flights per week D3, D7. (Previous frequency : D2, D4, D6) for the Winter 24, until 29th March 2025.

8D's CMB TRV CMB inaugural flight will be commence on 20th February as per the schedule.

Thanks

Hi All,

8D decided to postpone the inaugural flight to TRV on 20th Feb, will be commenced after 29th of March.

**WizzWaveSien** · 12-02-2025, 01:04 AM

Seems like Enter AIr (E4) is operating flights from OTP to CMB via RKT. Can someone confirm?
6E rumoured to begin BLR-JAF flights soon onboard their ATR-72s.
Screenshot 2025-02-12 063158.jpg

Attached Files

Screenshot 2025-02-12 063158.jpg (86.8 KB, 58 views)

**n863gt** · 12-02-2025, 05:20 AM

Originally posted by WizzWaveSien

Seems like Enter AIr (E4) is operating flights from OTP to CMB via RKT. Can someone confirm?
6E rumoured to begin BLR-JAF flights soon onboard their ATR-72s.
Screenshot 2025-02-12 063158.jpg

E4 started CMB operations like a month or two ago.

**WizzWaveSien** · 12-02-2025, 09:10 AM

Originally posted by n863gt

E4 started CMB operations like a month or two ago.

Hi, my apologies.
Seems like the flight diverted from WAW to OTP for some reason, don't know why. I was confused since E4 usually doesn't operate from OTP, thats why I asked.
Thanks.

Sri Lanka Aviation

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