Sri Lanka Aviation

QR7344 is flying from CMB to LHR. Any reason for this this flight? Is this aircraft chartered by Sri Lanka for repatriation flight?

4R-ALR out of service

SriLankan Airlines to increase Melbourne flights to 10 per week

11 March 2026 11:07 am

Colombo, March 11 (Daily Mirror) - SriLankan Airlines has announced plans to increase its weekly flights between Colombo and Melbourne to 10 services, effective from August 2, in response to growing travel demand.

The airline said the expansion aims to strengthen its connectivity with Australia, which has recently emerged as one of the fastest-growing inbound tourism markets to Sri Lanka. The growth is largely driven by leisure travellers and visits by family and friends.

Under the new schedule, three additional flights will operate every Tuesday, Thursday and Sunday, departing Colombo at 2.10 p.m. and arriving in Melbourne at 4.30 a.m. the following day. The return flights will leave Melbourne at 6.00 a.m. and arrive in Colombo at 12.15 p.m.

The airline will also continue its daily service UL604, departing Colombo at 12.20 a.m. and arriving in Melbourne at 2.40 p.m., with the return service UL605 departing Melbourne at 4.10 p.m. and arriving in Colombo at 10.25 p.m.

According to the airline, the additional frequencies will provide travellers with greater flexibility and improved connections through Colombo to destinations across India and the wider region.

The move is expected to particularly benefit the Sri Lankan diaspora living in Australia as well as Sri Lankan students studying there, by offering more convenient travel options between the two countries.

The increased flights are also expected to strengthen Colombo’s position as a regional aviation hub, enabling passengers from India to connect to Melbourne via Sri Lanka.

https://www.dailymirror.lk/breaking-...eek/108-334997

new flight number UL608/609
Wonder why it’s not UL602/603 🤔

also, on which days Jetstar will operate from Colombo?

Jetstar will operate direct, three-times-weekly flights between Melbourne and Colombo on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays using 787-9 (JQ5/6)
Melbourne to Colombo (JQ5): Departs 12:00, Arrives 17:50
Colombo to Melbourne (JQ6): Departs 19:50, Arrives 10:00

Good to know UL expanding MEL flights with perfect timings to connect with LHR flights. I feel Sri Lanka have upgraded the bilateral with Australia to operate more flights between the countries. Does any one know what's the maximum flights will operate between Sri Lanka and Australia as per current bilateral?

UL602/603 last used for 7am departure from Colombo back in 2022. My understanding UL608/609 will be used as it's mid-afternoon departure from Colombo. Please correct me if i am wrong.

Thanks for the update ! Do you think Jetstar will go-ahead with CMB launch in Aug26 after the announcement from UL on increasing flights to 10 weekly?
Plane Spotters Net shows Jetstar doesn't have 787-9 in the current fleet. Are they expecting delivery of 787-9 to be used on CMB route?

Is Fits Air planning below flights in Summer 2026 ? I see these schedule on GDS.

• Bangkok - 4 weekly
• Kuala Lumpur - 6 weekly
• Dhaka - 7 weekly
• Ahmedabad - 3 weekly
• Lahore - 2 weekly
• Male' - 14 weekly
• Dubai - 7 weekly

Correct, will keep you all posted in-detail sked.

Hi Banu! apologies, Meant to say 787-8 NOT 787-9! Jetstar has no plans currently to operate a 787-9 as far as I am aware! and they probably will be proceeding with the CMB launch in August as usual.

Hello everyone!
It seems like Aeroflot has increased SVO-CMB flights from 3 weekly to 5 weekly, starting March 14th. Can someone please confirm?
SU588 SVO-CMB
SU288 SVO-CMB

Wow ! Good news! Which aircraft is operating these flights? Are the rising demand for direct flights between Europe & Sri Lanka?

4R-ALR is back in service from 11 Mar but 4R-ALT is out of service from 8 Mar

B777w

but only between 14th -28th march as far as I know.

Belavia flights to Mattala are scheduled for 3 and 14 April. Earlier, flights to Mattala had been planned to end on 24 March.