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Looks like 4R-ANDs test flight was completed. Good to see it back in the air!Comment
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Sri Lankan Airlines Targets Monumental Growth, Unveils Colombo To Miami Route In Strategic MasterplanShould UL fly Colombo-Miami flight?
Wednesday, March 19, 2025
Sri Lankan Airlines aims for $1 billion in revenue with a new Colombo to Miami route as part of Dharmadasa’s strategic overhaul.
Ex-Chairman of the Civil Aviation Authority, Upul Dharmadasa, believes Sri Lankan Airlines can achieve a revenue milestone of US $1 billion within three months with effective leadership and strategic policies.
In a discussion with Mirror Business, Dharmadasa outlined a detailed revival strategy for the national airline, which is currently facing challenges. His strategy includes rehiring talented aviation professionals who have left the country, expanding to new international destinations, and adopting digital innovations to drive efficiency and increase revenue.
Dharmadasa pointed out that expanding routes and better utilizing assets would be particularly beneficial. He sees a significant opportunity in catering to the global Sri Lankan diaspora, especially by introducing flights to less-served North American regions. He proposed starting a route from Miami (MIA) to Colombo (CMB) that would connect Caribbean and Sri Lankan expatriates in the United States.
On the policy front, Dharmadasa suggested adopting a mandate similar to the U.S.’s Fly America Act, which would require Sri Lankan government officials, including diplomats, to use the national airline for official travel. He criticized the liberal granting of fifth freedom rights to foreign carriers, particularly those from the Middle East, which he claimed cost Sri Lankan Airlines roughly US $500 million on the Colombo-Male route in 2024.
Dharmadasa also highlighted the need for consistent policies and stable leadership to avoid disrupting the airline’s long-term strategy execution.
He advocates for adopting the New Distribution Capability (NDC), a digital framework that allows airlines to sell tickets directly, bypassing traditional third-party booking systems. Additionally, Dharmadasa recommended refining the airline’s payment systems to reduce losses due to currency exchange and supported the government’s decision to manage the airline’s legacy debts.
Dharmadasa’s background includes assuming leadership of the CAA in 2020 amidst a global aviation crisis. He led successful efforts to repatriate 138,000 Sri Lankans during the pandemic. With over 45 years in aviation and hospitality, beginning his career at Air Ceylon in 1975, Dharmadasa has also been instrumental in promoting Sri Lanka as a travel destination throughout the United States.
https://www.travelandtourworld.com/n...ic-masterplan/
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UL should consider flights to North America if they can make a solid business case for them. Miami seems like a stretch - the region doesn't have a significant Sri Lankan diaspora (in comparison to other US metros), and already well served by the ME3. Toronto may be a better option given the large SL community there, as well as the fact that the ME3 are limited by their respective bilaterals. An intermediate stop (somewhere in Europe?) will be needed and if UL has 5th-freedom rights, that could contribute to the success of the flight.
New York and LA are other cities with large SL and South Indian populations, but there is plenty of competition from the ME3 as well as AI and SQ and others.
If UL commences North American flights they should consider a stop in MLE - this would give UL a competitive advantage over other carriers, and they should have no trouble filling their premium cabin.Comment
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ATDB confirmed MSN 1261 will be leased from Caryle Aviation Partners. Mistakenly ATDB reported as AerCap before on their site. Believe to be UL signed the lease agreement with Caryle Aviation Partners for MSN 1261 in Aug24.
Heard MSN 1261 back in hangar for maintenance work and team from UL to visit MSN 1261 at CHR in couple of weeks.Comment
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As per internal reports MSN 1261 to be re-registered as 4R-ALT soon before airtest. Please someone correct me If I am wrong.
Thanks.Sien (KR/SL/US)
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Doubt this will be even possible with the existing wide-body fleet
UL should focus more on regional destinations in India such as Ahmedabad and Kolkata which will have great potential for Cargo as well.
They seem to have completely lost their dominance on the South Indian Market as well with the intense competition by IndiGo
Suggest UL could enhance services to South East Asia - Jakarta, Vietnam first and importantly look to launch regional ops.from Jaffna to India.
North America is a definite no-go- Aaqib Hussain
http://www.youtube.com/@theflyinglankanComment
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True that,
UL should resume flights to kolkata, visakhapatnam, coimbatore
and start flights to Ahmadabad, Goa or kozhikode.
also, Islamabad would be great for AUS/ SE Asia connections via CMB.
Maniila and Ho Chi Minh City is a another option too as (should be a transit flight for Middle East passengers via Colombo)
Also, UL must consider resuming Moscow, Rome/Milan, Nairobi, Seychelles, Hong Kong and Shanghai services ASAP.
Seoul should be up from 2 to 3 weekly.
personally, don’t think Miami will be a good option for UL due to pax load and the aircraft’s we got.
Toronto or New York would be much better via male to attract the diaspora living up there, tourists and South Indian communities.
Last edited by Randula; 20-03-2025, 02:35 PM.Comment
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Notsure if its true but I heard UL struggling to find A330 with Rolls Royse Engines. In the meantime UL need to lease more A320/A321ceo SL aircraft with 5/6 years lease to recover the capacity of Asian destinations that within 5hrs reach from CMB. The current A320/A321neo fleet have to be used for +5 to 6hrs flights from CMB. e.g. HKG, KWI, RUH, CAN, JED, UL also need to start introducing next generation widebody aircraft (A339/A350) from now on and start operating them on premium routes. Sorry I disagree with UL flying CMB-MLE-Europe flights instead UL need to focus CMB as hub and increase flights to MLE to provide quick stopover via CMB for the Maldives transit pax. UL had 13 slots at LHR prior leasing out 4 slots back in Feb 2012. Any idea when does the lease period of those 4 slots going to expire? Before end of 2025, UL better plan the below network. Do you think its possible?
3 WEEKLY ICN, RGN, SEZ 4 WEEKLY PEK, PVG, SYD, HKG, SGN, JED, CDG, ISB 5 WEEKLY NRT, FRA, CAN, KTM, LHE, BAH, PKT 9 WEEKLY LHR 1 DAILY AUH, CCU, DAC, KHI, MEL, GAN, CGK, MCT, RUH, DMM 2 DAILY HYD, TRV, IXM, KWI, DOH 3 DAILY BKK, KUL, SIN, DXB, BOM, DEL, BLR, TRZ, COK 4 DAILY MAA 6 DAILY MLE Comment
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4R-AND's first flight to MLE, she's officially back in service now.
4R-ANDFIRSTFLIGHT.jpgSien (KR/SL/US)
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