Sri Lanka Aviation

**banuthev** · 12-02-2025, 04:25 PM

Originally posted by banuthev

I see 4R-ALT visible on Google Map but not sure if its very recently captured by Google.

GoogleMap.jpg

I went to see 4R-ALT at TEV today morning but the aircraft is no where to be seen but got to know from the staff over there the 4R-ALT has to be inside the hangar at TEV. I got photos of the other parked aircraft from TEV. I will post in the forum when I arrive home.

In the time being, I have posted my flight photos of LHR-VLC trip. Available in Plane Spotting thread : https://www.lankaaviator.com/node/17?p=63159#post63159

Attached Files

20250212_093237.jpg (57.2 KB, 74 views)

**n863gt** · 13-02-2025, 05:48 PM

Originally posted by banuthev

I went to see 4R-ALT at TEV today morning but the aircraft is no where to be seen but got to know from the staff over there the 4R-ALT has to be inside the hangar at TEV. I got photos of the other parked aircraft from TEV. I will post in the forum when I arrive home.

In the time being, I have posted my flight photos of LHR-VLC trip. Available in Plane Spotting thread : https://www.lankaaviator.com/node/17?p=63159#post63159

how much progress has been done on the cabin retrofit?

**banuthev** · 14-02-2025, 08:35 AM

Originally posted by n863gt

how much progress has been done on the cabin retrofit?

I heard there are few configuration issue causing delays inducting 4R-ALT to the UL fleet. I couldn't get permission to see the aircraft in the hangar as Maintenance provider/Aergo Capital is asking to get permission from UL but UL says they can't give permission as the aircraft in custody of Aergo and UKEF. As we know 4R-ALT will be wetleased by Aergo Capital to UL. Finance will be provided by UKEF (UK Export Finance).

Maintenance provider confirmed 4R-ALT definitely inside the hangar and doors are closed couldn't take photo.

**Serendib** · 16-02-2025, 07:49 AM

AirlineRatings.com has released the list of top the 25 airlines for the 2025 annual awards of the world’s best airlines.

Here is the list:
Korean Air
Qatar Airways
Air New Zealand
Cathay Pacific
Singapore Airlines
Emirates
Japan Airlines
Qantas
Etihad Airways
Turkish Airlines
EVA Air
Fiji Airways
Virgin Atlantic
ANA
Aero Mexico
Air Caraibes
Thai Airways
STARLUX Airlines
Vietnam Airlines
Sri Lankan Airlines
Air France
KLM (Note: The airline is trialing a hybrid model on some routes)
Air Calin
Air Mauritius
Garuda Indonesia

https://mmnews.tv/what-are-the-top-2...list-released/

**Serendib** · 16-02-2025, 07:51 AM

Colombo-bound flight halted on runway after technical glitch at Chennai airport

The aircraft, carrying 168 passengers and 8 crew members, was set to depart from Chennai airport at 9.40 am
https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.dtn...airport-823104

Aircraft Rego?

**reefunk74** · 16-02-2025, 11:55 AM

Apparently UL504 that was scheduled to depart London 2040 last night was cancelled.

Can anybody please shed some light on why?

Must be some technical issues.

I'm due to fly to Sri Lanka on this flight on Friday. Haven't seen many recent YouTube videos on this airline but I have seen delays due to "technical issues" cropping up. The previous poster has mentioned a case with an SL flight from chennai scheduled to depart this morning.

On a side note I think my flight is far from full. I've received a couple of emails from the airline in the last week to invite me to:

1) bid for a business class upgrade
2) buy my adjoining seats for £95 so I have a row to myself!

**banuthev** · 16-02-2025, 12:34 PM

Originally posted by reefunk74

Apparently UL504 that was scheduled to depart London 2040 last night was cancelled.

Can anybody please shed some light on why?

Must be some technical issues.

I'm due to fly to Sri Lanka on this flight on Friday. Haven't seen many recent YouTube videos on this airline but I have seen delays due to "technical issues" cropping up. The previous poster has mentioned a case with an SL flight from chennai scheduled to depart this morning.

On a side note I think my flight is far from full. I've received a couple of emails from the airline in the last week to invite me to:

1) bid for a business class upgrade
2) buy my adjoining seats for £95 so I have a row to myself!

It's 4R-ALO supposed to fly UL504 yesterday. Saw this bird yesterday at 19:52 at LHR parked in one of the gate in T3. Crew were in the cockpit and cockpit lights were on.

WhatsApp Image 2025-02-16 at 12.31.27.jpg

**A359** · 17-02-2025, 06:31 PM

Originally posted by Serendib

AirlineRatings.com has released the list of top the 25 airlines for the 2025 annual awards of the world’s best airlines.

Here is the list:
Korean Air
Qatar Airways
Air New Zealand
Cathay Pacific
Singapore Airlines
Emirates
Japan Airlines
Qantas
Etihad Airways
Turkish Airlines
EVA Air
Fiji Airways
Virgin Atlantic
ANA
Aero Mexico
Air Caraibes
Thai Airways
STARLUX Airlines
Vietnam Airlines
Sri Lankan Airlines
Air France
KLM (Note: The airline is trialing a hybrid model on some routes)
Air Calin
Air Mauritius
Garuda Indonesia

https://mmnews.tv/what-are-the-top-2...list-released/

It's good to see UL earn a place among the top 25 airlines worldwide. Its surprising that Air India with all their shiny new aircraft don't make the cut.

World's Best Airlines For 2025

https://www.airlineratings.com/articles/worlds-best-airlines-for-2025

AirlineRatings.com is pleased to announce the highly anticipated World’s Best Airline Awards for 2025. The World’s Best Airlines awards are centred on passenger comfort, feedback, and product consistency across an airline’s route network. These awards are not a popularity contest; rather, each airline is thoroughly evaluated based on what it offers passengers throughout its fleet and network.

**MAW2000** · 18-02-2025, 04:20 AM

Originally posted by MAW2000

Hi All,

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

Hi all, TRV flights are postponed due to the renovations/resurfacing of TRV runway.

**MAW2000** · 18-02-2025, 04:24 AM

Hi All,
Another good news!

8D's CMB KUL CMB on D2, D5, D7

8D951 STD 0420 LT 8D952 STA 1230 LT

**Serendib** · 18-02-2025, 11:19 AM

SriLankan Air’s Growth Ambitions Curbed by Debt, CEO Says

Bloomberg - SriLankan Airlines should ideally double its fleet over the next five years, but is constrained by debt issues and the government’s poor financial situation, according to Chief Executive Officer Richard Nuttall.

The carrier operates an all-Airbus SE fleet of 24 jets, split evenly between long-haul and short-haul routes.

“Ideally our fleet should be double what it is in five years,” Nuttall said in an interview with Bloomberg Television at Aviation Festival Asia 2025 in Singapore on Tuesday. “We still have an awful lot of legacy debt and we need to find solutions to that before we go out and do big aircraft orders.”

While Sri Lanka’s government has decided not to privatize the carrier, it “knows how important the airline is to the economy,” he said. “The government is going through an IMF process and is not hugely wealthy.”

Sri Lanka’s president Anura Kumara Dissanayake said during his 2025 budget speech to parliament Monday that the government proposed to allocate 20 billion rupees ($68 million) toward repaying the national carrier’s loan capital and interest payments.

Any new jets would mostly be used to increase the frequency of flights to existing destinations, Nuttall said. The airline flies mostly to India and South Asia, as well as domestic routes.

Nuttall said that while the airline would look at both Airbus and Boeing Co. when ordering new planes, choosing the US manufacturer would require a “wholesale fleet change” so would have to a longer-term consideration.

SriLankan Air’s Growth Ambitions Curbed by Debt, CEO Says - Adaderana Biz English | Sri Lanka Business News

SriLankan Engineering has announced new long-term line maintenance agreements in Colombo with two national flag carriers: Malaysia Airlines and Gulf Air.

The contract with Malaysia Airlines marks a new partnership, while the agreement with Gulf Air, the national airline of Bahrain, is a renewal.

Announcing the Malaysia Airlines deal on LinkedIn, SriLankan Engineering stated: “This marks the continuation and expansion of scope of a strong and successful partnership, and we are thrilled to provide our trusted maintenance support to include their Boeing 737 MAX fleet as well.

Malaysia Airlines and Gulf Air choose SriLankan Engineering for long-term maintenance

Interview video : https://www.msn.com/en-gb/money/vide...rs/vi-AA1zfSTv

thought srilankan operates 22 jets
should srilankan add boeing to the fleet?
does srilankan have experience in boeing fleet management?

**Serendib** · 18-02-2025, 04:24 PM

Originally posted by banuthev

I heard there are few configuration issue causing delays inducting 4R-ALT to the UL fleet. I couldn't get permission to see the aircraft in the hangar as Maintenance provider/Aergo Capital is asking to get permission from UL but UL says they can't give permission as the aircraft in custody of Aergo and UKEF. As we know 4R-ALT will be wetleased by Aergo Capital to UL. Finance will be provided by UKEF (UK Export Finance).

Maintenance provider confirmed 4R-ALT definitely inside the hangar and doors are closed couldn't take photo.

re-financing also reason for 4R-ALT delay?

SriLankan Airlines CEO Says A330 Fleet Renewal Hinges On Financing

SINGAPORE—The CEO of SriLankan Airlines is looking at refinancing options to restructure its debt before the flag carrier can pursue long-term fleet renewal. Speaking in Singapore on Feb. 18, SriLankan Airlines CEO Richard Nuttall said the carrier’s business plan was to double its fleet to around 50...

SriLankan Airlines CEO Says A330 Fleet Renewal Hinges On Financing | Aviation Week Network

**MAW2000** · 19-02-2025, 11:58 AM

4R-AND is ready to fly.

**WizzWaveSien** · 19-02-2025, 02:39 PM

Originally posted by MAW2000

4R-AND is ready to fly.

Great news! do you have a date on when she would be entering into service? I heard it was next week, is this true?

Any update of 8D to KUL? Do you know when they will begin flights to KUL?
Thanks.

**n863gt** · 19-02-2025, 04:21 PM

Originally posted by Serendib

Interview video : https://www.msn.com/en-gb/money/vide...rs/vi-AA1zfSTv

thought srilankan operates 22 jets
should srilankan add boeing to the fleet?
does srilankan have experience in boeing fleet management?

UL did "have" a 767 leased for some 2 months. not sure whether who operated it.
UL might as well adopt the B38M or B39M or B738 to the fleet if they're going to service them.(not sure about on-boeing experience of UL's pilots.)
the B787 as a widebody?(777s are hard to find)
I dont think it's necessary though. adds complexity to the fleet.

Sri Lanka Aviation

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