Sri Lanka Aviation

**MAW2000** · 08-04-2025, 07:24 AM

Hi Everyone,
Greetings!

Few updates on 8D :
4R-EXR is about arrive CMB after maintenance at GMR Aero Technic (HYD) within upcoming two weeks, and 4R-EXR and 4R-EXQ will operate on 8D flights and 4R-EXS will be going for Maintenance with GMR at HYD, after that 4R-EXS will operate ACMI flights for Salam air (OV @MCT).

Surprisingly, 8D added Business class (As per the airline) to KUL flights selling its 8 premium seats with portable IFE, meal (Which were available under ancillery services), and in near future for MLE flights as well.
But according to my opinion, 8D should avoid compete with Legacy carriers and Business class, instead selling those seats as Premium Economy since still the cabins, seats are old and cannot stand with UL and other legacy carriers.

**banuthev** · 09-04-2025, 07:40 PM

Originally posted by MAW2000

Hi Everyone,
Greetings!

Few updates on 8D :
4R-EXR is about arrive CMB after maintenance at GMR Aero Technic (HYD) within upcoming two weeks, and 4R-EXR and 4R-EXQ will operate on 8D flights and 4R-EXS will be going for Maintenance with GMR at HYD, after that 4R-EXS will operate ACMI flights for Salam air (OV @MCT).

Surprisingly, 8D added Business class (As per the airline) to KUL flights selling its 8 premium seats with portable IFE, meal (Which were available under ancillery services), and in near future for MLE flights as well.
But according to my opinion, 8D should avoid compete with Legacy carriers and Business class, instead selling those seats as Premium Economy since still the cabins, seats are old and cannot stand with UL and other legacy carriers.

Thanks for the update !

Do you know how many months 4R-EXS will operate ACMI flights for Salam Air?

**Randula** · 09-04-2025, 10:10 PM

Any updates on 8D Riyadh flights ?

**MAW2000** · 10-04-2025, 07:16 AM

Originally posted by Randula

Any updates on 8D Riyadh flights ?

Will not operate in near future due to Crew Shortage!

**Aaqib** · 10-04-2025, 09:52 AM

Any updates on FitsAir's ATR 72-200 (4R-EXN)?

**SHOCKWAVE** · 10-04-2025, 11:42 AM

Originally posted by Aaqib

Any updates on FitsAir's ATR 72-200 (4R-EXN)?

Was disassembled at RML about 2 years ago.

**Haleef** · 10-04-2025, 03:53 PM

Originally posted by Aaqib

Any updates on FitsAir's ATR 72-200 (4R-EXN)?

Scrapped. Tail section at CINEC campus, this section lies outside the flying school premises at RML.

Attached Files

PXL_20241010_080420686.jpg (69.4 KB, 117 views)

**Aaqib** · 11-04-2025, 06:05 AM

Originally posted by Haleef

Scrapped. Tail section at CINEC campus, this section lies outside the flying school premises at RML.

Originally posted by SHOCKWAVE

Was disassembled at RML about 2 years ago.

Wasn't aware that it was scrapped.... appreciate the info
Any chance that they'd be looking at adding more ATR's to the fleet in the future? Would be Ideal for Domestic/Regional Ops

**A359** · 12-04-2025, 01:38 AM

I wonder if this article is accurate about the proposed turn-around plan for UL?

Transitioning to an all wide-body fleet and eliminating "particularly its 15 unprofitable Indian routes" does not make sense to me.
It seems the proposed plan envisages halving the size of the airline and becoming a point-to-point carrier.
That strategy doesn't make sense to me when we have a market of 1.4 billion people next door who are gaining more disposable income and have a desire for overseas travel.

**VC10fan** · 12-04-2025, 09:06 AM

Originally posted by A359

I wonder if this article is accurate about the proposed turn-around plan for UL?

Transitioning to an all wide-body fleet and eliminating "particularly its 15 unprofitable Indian routes" does not make sense to me.
It seems the proposed plan envisages halving the size of the airline and becoming a point-to-point carrier.
That strategy doesn't make sense to me when we have a market of 1.4 billion people next door who are gaining more disposable income and have a desire for overseas travel.

Sounds like another advisor/consultant destined to further ruin the airline.

In general, it's easier to make a profit with narrow body aircraft than widebody; many airlines are switching from widebody to the new generation longhaul narrowbody aircraft. Some routes could be revised, but going widebody only is going to trash the yield and on all shorthaul routes.

Those "fifteen unprofitable India routes" provide essential feeder traffic to the profitable Sydney, Melbourne and London routes. Remove the India routes and the Australian routes will be discounting heavily to survive.

I really hope they don't go this way.

**WizzWaveSien** · 12-04-2025, 03:08 PM

Originally posted by A359

I wonder if this article is accurate about the proposed turn-around plan for UL?

Transitioning to an all wide-body fleet and eliminating "particularly its 15 unprofitable Indian routes" does not make sense to me.
It seems the proposed plan envisages halving the size of the airline and becoming a point-to-point carrier.
That strategy doesn't make sense to me when we have a market of 1.4 billion people next door who are gaining more disposable income and have a desire for overseas travel.

Getting rid of Narrowbody fleets when every airline is rushing to get their hands on a widebody in this day and age is asking for trouble.
Sri Lankan DEPENDS on their narrowbody fleet to survive, their A321NEOS and A320NEOS and A320s are essential to link lower demand routes that doesn't warrant a widebody, look at the Airbus A321LR and A321XLR, airlines are rushing to get their hands on aircraft like that on lower demand routes that are longer distance. Take RUH and DOH for example, I've seen this service operate with an A321NEO these days and sometimes with an A320NEO, passenger capacity on this route on average flight does not warrant a widebody such as the A333 or the A332.

Narrowbodies in general have a lower maintenace cost, less turn around times, and are designed to fly around six times per day. While whilebodies can only fly three times per day. Focusing on a replacing narrowbodies with cargo isn't going to magically make up for getting rid of narrowbodies.

**banuthev** · 12-04-2025, 07:50 PM

Originally posted by A359

I wonder if this article is accurate about the proposed turn-around plan for UL?

Transitioning to an all wide-body fleet and eliminating "particularly its 15 unprofitable Indian routes" does not make sense to me.
It seems the proposed plan envisages halving the size of the airline and becoming a point-to-point carrier.
That strategy doesn't make sense to me when we have a market of 1.4 billion people next door who are gaining more disposable income and have a desire for overseas travel.

Incorrect info in the news. UL is currently serving 9 destinations in India and 37 destinations worldwide. UL need NB aircraft in the fleet and UL have to focus increasing frequencies to the current destinations.

ABL/MRE - lease expiry 2025?
ABM/N/O - lease expiry 2026
ANA/B/C/D/E/F - lease expiry 2029/30
ABS/ABT - lease expiry 2029/30

**4R-ADA** · 13-04-2025, 12:44 PM

Originally posted by A359

I wonder if this article is accurate about the proposed turn-around plan for UL?

Transitioning to an all wide-body fleet and eliminating "particularly its 15 unprofitable Indian routes" does not make sense to me.
It seems the proposed plan envisages halving the size of the airline and becoming a point-to-point carrier.
That strategy doesn't make sense to me when we have a market of 1.4 billion people next door who are gaining more disposable income and have a desire for overseas travel.

I recall when Emirates first took control in the late 90s, the plan was for an all A330/A340 fleet, no A320s. That plan was quickly changed.

If not for all these Indian routes, Australia will not be profitable, and will be down to just 2-3 flights a week otherwise. No way can UL otherwise fly 10 times a week here. I hope common sense prevails.

**Farhan Hussain** · 16-04-2025, 06:05 PM

Any updates on 4R-ALT?

**n863gt** · 16-04-2025, 06:14 PM

Originally posted by Farhan Hussain

Any updates on 4R-ALT?

I was going to ask the same thing, but you've asked.
as far as we know, the aircraft is in UL livery, as in the video that banuthev posted, where it's visible for a brief moment.

Sri Lanka Aviation

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