Sri Lanka Aviation

**AnjulaM** · 30-01-2026, 08:01 PM

Any idea about 4R-ALH. Haven't seen in service after UL226 flight.

**banuthev** · 31-01-2026, 02:09 AM

Anybody tracking PKX-CMB inaugural flight? Can see currently above China. Anyone know the estimated arrival time at CMB? Will be nice to see the photos.

Screenshot_20260131_013659_Flightradar24.jpg

**VC10fan** · 31-01-2026, 04:07 AM

Originally posted by banuthev

Colombo Airport Schedule Flight Information - February 2026[LIST][*]Air Seychelles is increasing Colombo flights from 2 weekly to 3 weekly in 01 Feb 2026 to 15 Feb 2026; B737MAX is operating the 2 weekly flight and A320Neo is operating the 1 weekly flight. Does anyone have more information about B737MAX operating the Air Seychelles flight?

Air Seychelles frequency is not increasing; it is remaining 2 per week.

The 737-8Max is a wetlease from Smart Wings to cover while one of their aircraft is in scheduled maintenance through February. It will operate all their SEZ-CMB-SEZ flights during February.

**Chanaka93** · 31-01-2026, 03:58 PM

Originally posted by VC10fan

Air Seychelles frequency is not increasing; it is remaining 2 per week.

The 737-8Max is a wetlease from Smart Wings to cover while one of their aircraft is in scheduled maintenance through February. It will operate all their SEZ-CMB-SEZ flights during February.

I don’t know why UL stopped flying to Seychelles. These Air Seychelles flights are always fully booked. If they have extra aircraft in their fleet, they will definitely increase the frequency.

**banuthev** · 31-01-2026, 04:33 PM

Welcome to Sri Lanka! Beijing Capital Airlines!
Here are some photos! Does anyone know how many pax were on onboard?

**VC10fan** · 01-02-2026, 05:26 AM

Originally posted by Chanaka93

I don’t know why UL stopped flying to Seychelles. These Air Seychelles flights are always fully booked. If they have extra aircraft in their fleet, they will definitely increase the frequency.

What makes you think they are always fully booked?

Apparently UL stopped because of poor route performance. I flew UL to SEZ several times and as I recall the loads were typically 60-70 pax.

**Chanaka93** · 01-02-2026, 06:33 AM

Originally posted by VC10fan

What makes you think they are always fully booked?

Apparently UL stopped because of poor route performance. I flew UL to SEZ several times and as I recall the loads were typically 60-70 pax.

I have flown with Air SEZ a few times, and economy was fully booked. If UL stopped operating due to poor route performance, why are other airlines doing well on the same route?

**Serendib** · 01-02-2026, 12:09 PM

Originally posted by AnjulaM

Any idea about 4R-ALH. Haven't seen in service after UL226 flight.

ALH back in service

**banuthev** · 02-02-2026, 06:02 PM

On the 3 Feb 2026, Qantas to operate charter flight to Colombo onboard A330-300. Route : Sydney - Darwin - Singapore - Kolkata - Colombo - Cairo - Rome - Toulouse - London;

Qantas due to visit Colombo this week. Does any one know what flight number will be used? So we can track the flight.

**Serendib** · 02-02-2026, 06:23 PM

Sri Lanka Court Orders Arrest of Ex-Speaker’s Son Over Airbus Scandal

In 2012–2013, a proposal was made to retire 13 existing aircraft from the SriLankan Airlines fleet and replace them with 14 brand‑new planes.

As part of this plan, SriLankan Airlines signed an agreement with the French manufacturer Airbus to purchase six A330s and four A350s.

A major fraud linked to this transaction came to light in January 2020, after an investigation by the UK Serious Fraud Office, which exposed alarming details.

It was revealed that Airbus had agreed to pay a US$16.84 million bribe in connection with the purchase of the 10 aircraft.

Investigators found that US$2 million from this amount had been transferred to an account belonging to a company in Brunei operated by the wife of then‑CEO Kapila Chandrasena.

https://www.newsfirst.lk/2026/02/02/sri-lanka-court-orders-arrest-of-ex-speaker%E2%80%99s-son-over-airbus-scandal

**banuthev** · 02-02-2026, 06:29 PM

Originally posted by Serendib

Sri Lanka Court Orders Arrest of Ex-Speaker’s Son Over Airbus Scandal

In 2012–2013, a proposal was made to retire 13 existing aircraft from the SriLankan Airlines fleet and replace them with 14 brand‑new planes.

As part of this plan, SriLankan Airlines signed an agreement with the French manufacturer Airbus to purchase six A330s and four A350s.

A major fraud linked to this transaction came to light in January 2020, after an investigation by the UK Serious Fraud Office, which exposed alarming details.

It was revealed that Airbus had agreed to pay a US$16.84 million bribe in connection with the purchase of the 10 aircraft.

Investigators found that US$2 million from this amount had been transferred to an account belonging to a company in Brunei operated by the wife of then‑CEO Kapila Chandrasena.

https://www.newsfirst.lk/2026/02/02/...airbus-scandal

Any updates on Four free A330-900s from Airbus for SriLankan?

**banuthev** · 03-02-2026, 05:44 AM

Fits Air to Lahore has been postponed until further notice according to MAW2000. Fits Air website shows Lahore launch on the 03-Feb-2026 however booking are not yet open. I wonder the delay due to shortage of aircraft? 4R-EXS to be returned from Salam Air by end of this month if I am not mistaken.

4R-EXS operated as 8D7 from MCT-CMB on the 31 Jan 2026. Its not active ever since 31 Jan. Is EXS back to Fits Air after wet lease ops with Salam Air?

**MAW2000** · 04-02-2026, 05:16 AM

Originally posted by banuthev

Welcome to Sri Lanka! Beijing Capital Airlines!
Here are some photos! Does anyone know how many pax were on onboard?

Pax count was 170 + 13 Crew.

**MAW2000** · 04-02-2026, 05:19 AM

Originally posted by Chanaka93

I have flown with Air SEZ a few times, and economy was fully booked. If UL stopped operating due to poor route performance, why are other airlines doing well on the same route?

Always the Bookload depends on the Airline Sales and Distribution of that route/sector, So my guess is, UL's poor Sales and distribution of CMB-SEZ sector.

**banuthev** · 04-02-2026, 10:11 AM

Originally posted by MAW2000

Pax count was 170 + 13 Crew.

I really wonder why passenger numbers were low on the inaugural PKX-CMB flight? Aircraft operated the flight was A330-300. If i recall it correctly the aircraft rego is B305R and it's a C24Y279 seater.

Sri Lanka Aviation

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