Sri Lanka Aviation

**WizzWaveSien** · 20-10-2025, 01:04 PM

Originally posted by Randula

Jet star Australia is starting flights from Melbourne to Colombo BIA .
Flights starting from 28th AUG 2026, as 3x weekly flights using a B787 Dreamliner with 300 seats. Competition for UL605 and UL607 routes.
I wonder why they didn’t introduce a Perth-Colombo flights instead. They might in the future for the remaining days of the week. UL should better start few more routes including Perth, some European destinations (Milan, Rome, Amsterdam) China (Beijing, Shanghai) and Nairobi, Seychelles covering Africa with seamless connections visa versa.

Excellent news! Hope Qantas follows soon from flights from SYD or MEL, Definitely PER soon. Jetstar can deploy their A321N on PER-CMB route on offpeak season and then B787 during peak season. Exicted to see CMB expanding!

**channa** · 21-10-2025, 01:02 AM

Originally posted by WizzWaveSien

Excellent news! Hope Qantas follows soon from flights from SYD or MEL, Definitely PER soon. Jetstar can deploy their A321N on PER-CMB route on offpeak season and then B787 during peak season. Exicted to see CMB expanding!

In order to start all above mentioned routes, first of all Srilankan Airlines need more aircrafts.
UL should increase SYD-CMB flights and start CMB- PER route using a narrow body air bus 321 N at least 3 or 4 times weekly . Otherwise it will have tough competition future for Australia

**Randula** · 21-10-2025, 01:10 AM

Originally posted by channa

In order to start all above mentioned routes, first of all Srilankan Airlines need more aircrafts.
UL should increase SYD-CMB flights and start CMB- PER route using a narrow body air bus 321 N at least 3 or 4 times weekly . Otherwise it will have tough competition future for Australia

Completely agree with you mate!
Are those UL A321 neos able to fly direct to Perth?
or do we need LR or XLR ones?

**MAW2000** · 21-10-2025, 06:35 AM

Originally posted by Randula

Completely agree with you mate!
Are those UL A321 neos able to fly direct to Perth?
or do we need LR or XLR ones?

UL has A321-251N jets, they cannot fly on such long route, I guess even A321neo LR cannot fly comfortably between Australia and Sri Lanka, Anyone who wants to fly a narrowbody jet, needs an A321 XLR, and the per Seat cost will be much high, since lower seats count and long route and higher lease cost. Widebody jets are the best option on this route.

**MAW2000** · 21-10-2025, 06:43 AM

Originally posted by channa

In order to start all above mentioned routes, first of all Srilankan Airlines need more aircrafts.
UL should increase SYD-CMB flights and start CMB- PER route using a narrow body air bus 321 N at least 3 or 4 times weekly . Otherwise it will have tough competition future for Australia

Until getting more aircrafts , One thing UL can do is : They are operating Widebody jets on some short-haul routes (UL115/6 , Pakistani routes, Sometimes BLR, BKK, KUL, DAC). They can use their Narrow-body jets on these short-haul routes and increase the frequency if slots are available, and deploy Widebody jets on Australia Expansions (PER, SYD)
Hope 4R-ALU is joining soon and if UL can do something with 4 jets on Airbus order book (Something like placing the order or converting it to A330-841s or A321-251Ns) or getting A332 or A333s with average age of 10 years or less.

**MAW2000** · 21-10-2025, 06:49 AM

Hi Everyone,

8D/EXV is planning to fly to LHE and BKK by 1st Quarter of next year.

**Randula** · 21-10-2025, 08:02 AM

Vietnam Airlines is starting Ho Chi Minh City - Colombo route on Dec 2025.
Another new direct route to BIA. Flight will operate once a week using A320Neo. Frequency will increase based in demand and Hanoi-Colombo service to be start later based on demand.

**channa** · 21-10-2025, 05:01 PM

Originally posted by MAW2000

Until getting more aircrafts , One thing UL can do is : They are operating Widebody jets on some short-haul routes (UL115/6 , Pakistani routes, Sometimes BLR, BKK, KUL, DAC). They can use their Narrow-body jets on these short-haul routes and increase the frequency if slots are available, and deploy Widebody jets on Australia Expansions (PER, SYD)
Hope 4R-ALU is joining soon and if UL can do something with 4 jets on Airbus order book (Something like placing the order or converting it to A330-841s) or getting A332 or A333s with average age of 10 years or less.

It is time for UL to order some state of the air crafts now. Because they are not readily available UL needs to plan for the future now.
All the planes are 8 years or more older and need reburshing as well

**VC10fan** · 22-10-2025, 12:35 AM

Originally posted by MAW2000

Until getting more aircrafts , One thing UL can do is : They are operating Widebody jets on some short-haul routes (UL115/6 , Pakistani routes, Sometimes BLR, BKK, KUL, DAC). They can use their Narrow-body jets on these short-haul routes and increase the frequency if slots are available, and deploy Widebody jets on Australia Expansions (PER, SYD)
Hope 4R-ALU is joining soon and if UL can do something with 4 jets on Airbus order book (Something like placing the order or converting it to A330-841s) or getting A332 or A333s with average age of 10 years or less.

UL uses widebody aircraft on shorthaul routes where there is high cargo demand. The passenger load might not be so high but the holds are earning cargo revenue.

**MAW2000** · 22-10-2025, 07:54 AM

Originally posted by VC10fan

UL uses widebody aircraft on shorthaul routes where there is high cargo demand. The passenger load might not be so high but the holds are earning cargo revenue.

Agree, but emphasized a way to use the fleet for network expansions.

**Serendib** · 22-10-2025, 08:37 AM

Originally posted by MAW2000

As fare as I know, UL won't Take those two jets and the lessor is Airbus Financial Services.

OO-ABF A330-941 MSN 1844 ferried 21oct25 LDE-CHR

**tangopapa380** · 22-10-2025, 09:26 AM

Originally posted by Serendib

OO-ABF A330-941 MSN 1844 ferried 21oct25 LDE-CHR

it also says "returned from lease". maybe its up for grabs?

**Randula** · 22-10-2025, 10:37 AM

Originally posted by tangopapa380

it also says "returned from lease". maybe its up for grabs?

Does anyone got an idea or any information about OO-ABF getting ready for UL by any chance?

**IndushanMalith** · 22-10-2025, 11:21 PM

According to a senior member of SriLankan Airlines, the previously planned acquisition of the ex-Belgium Airlines A330-900 will not proceed. Due to the current global shortage of available Airbus aircraft and the long waiting queue for deliveries, SriLankan Airlines has begun exploring the option of acquiring Boeing aircraft instead. Boeing has reportedly expressed strong support by offering comprehensive crew and pilot training programs, simulator facilities, maintenance assistance, and technical training for the airline’s engineering staff.

**Ven35K** · 23-10-2025, 03:53 AM

Originally posted by MAW2000

Until getting more aircrafts , One thing UL can do is : They are operating Widebody jets on some short-haul routes (UL115/6 , Pakistani routes, Sometimes BLR, BKK, KUL, DAC). They can use their Narrow-body jets on these short-haul routes and increase the frequency if slots are available, and deploy Widebody jets on Australia Expansions (PER, SYD)
Hope 4R-ALU is joining soon and if UL can do something with 4 jets on Airbus order book (Something like placing the order or converting it to A330-841s or A321-251Ns) or getting A332 or A333s with average age of 10 years or less.

That’s a great point! The A330-800 (A338) in the 251T configuration would indeed be a solid option for UL. With its extended range, it can easily handle ultra-long-haul routes like CMB–JFK, CMB–YYZ, or even CMB–LAX, opening up direct connectivity to North America. The aircraft’s fuel efficiency and lower operating costs compared to older widebodies make it ideal for these thinner, long-distance markets.
If UL configures it similarly to Singapore Airlines’ ULR layout — optimized for passenger comfort with more premium and extra-legroom seating — it could offer a strong product for these long flights while maintaining profitability. It’s a smart way to expand network reach without going into the size and cost range of the A350 or B777.

Sri Lanka Aviation

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