Sri Lanka Aviation

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  • banuthev
    replied
    Originally posted by WizzWaveSien
    Hi all,
    Following Vietnam's President's visit to Sri Lanka on the 7 to the 8th of May, Vietnam Airlines, along with Vietjet Airlines will begin flights from October and August of 2026 respectively.

    Vietnam Airlines to launch 1st direct route to Sri Lanka
    https://news.tuoitre.vn/vietnam-airlines-to-launch-1st-direct-route-to-sri-lanka-103260509103044975.htm
    Vietnam Airlines has announced it will open a direct air route connecting Ho Chi Minh City and Colombo, Sri Lanka, starting in October 2026, with three round trips per week using Airbus A321 aircraft.




    Vietjet Air | Bay là thích ngay! | Website chính thức
    https://www.vietjetair.com/en/news/news-1697697232035/vietjet-announces-first-ever-route-to-sri-lanka-in-celebration-of-general-secretary-and-president-to-lams-state-visit-1778289115334
    Bay cùng Vietjet với hàng ngàn ưu đãi hấp dẫn, giá vé ưu đãi





    A major win for Sri Lankan aviation! Also note that Saudia is offering flights from JED-MLE-CMB on Monday.
    It seems Vietjet is all set to start direct flights to Colombo from 18 Aug 2026. I can see Colombo listed in their flight booking section, operating only 3 weekly flights instead of the initially announced 4.
    Here is the flight schedule**:**

    ​SGN-CMB - VJ1875 - A320 - 18:15 - 21:50 - TU, TH, SA
    CMB-SGN - VJ1876 - A320 - 23:00 - 05:55+1 - TU, TH, SA

    ​Any possibility this route will become successful?

      Leave a comment:

    • banuthev
      replied
      Originally posted by MAW2000

      Lease Expiry.

      Lease Return Ferry Flight as follows :

      4R-EXQ
      0805 LT 05JUN
      8D707 VCBI > OETB > LFBT
      Thanks for confirming that EXQ is being ferried to Tarbes. Does that mean the aircraft will be parked there until it finds a new owner? Also, is EXQ getting painted all white prior to the ferry flight?

        Leave a comment:

      • MAW2000
        replied
        Originally posted by banuthev

        Is there any reason why FitsAir is returning 4R-EXQ back to the lessor?
        Lease Expiry.

        Lease Return Ferry Flight as follows :

        4R-EXQ
        0805 LT 05JUN
        8D707 VCBI > OETB > LFBT
          👍 1

          Leave a comment:

        • Serendib
          replied
          VietJet Air Opens Colombo Office Ahead of Sri Lanka Launch

          VietJet Air officially inaugurated its Colombo office yesterday during a special ceremony attended by Vietnam Ambassador to Sri Lanka Trinh Thi Tam.

          The airline’s operations in Sri Lanka will be managed by Andrew The Aviation Company Ltd. as its General Sales Agent (GSA), under the leadership of Chairman Mahen Kariyawasan. The office will serve as a hub for passenger services, travel trade partnerships and operational coordination in the country.

          Speaking at the event, Ambassador Tam noted the strengthening ties between Vietnam and Sri Lanka and welcomed VietJet Air’s growing presence in the Sri Lankan aviation market. Chairman Mahen Kariyawasan also stated that the partnership is expected to boost travel opportunities while supporting tourism, trade and business cooperation between the two countries.

          VietJet Air is planning to commence flights between Colombo and Ho Chi Minh City in August 2026 with four weekly round-trip services. The airline, recognized as one of Vietnam’s leading low-cost carriers, continues to expand its network across Asia with a focus on affordable and convenient travel.

          https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&rct=j&opi=89978449&url=https://www.magzter.com/stories/newspaper/Daily-FT/VIETJET-AIR-COLOMBO-OFFICE-OPENS-FOR-TRAVELLERS%3Fsrsltid%3DAfmBOopdeZnJ5aeNQ1GTMgVqhaM7xf0avEZxjWUEEMzgomN6G5dabMnu&ved=2ahUKEwiCo67pseWUAxXrRUEAHWf2DiEQFnoECFkQAQ&usg=AOvVaw1Bug8YaR3ghhhaklJaoinv
          Last edited by Serendib; 01-06-2026, 06:16 AM.

            Leave a comment:

          • banuthev
            replied
            4R-ABN is currently out of service. I am curious to
            know the reason why. Do you know when it last operated?

              Leave a comment:

            • Serendib
              replied
              Belavia to resume flights to Sri Lanka
              Belavia has announced the resumption of flights to Sri Lanka starting 27 October. The route will be operated on Tuesdays using a wide-body Airbus A330-200 aircraft.

              Departure from Minsk is scheduled for 12:50 a.m., with arrival at Mattala Airport at 12:40 p.m. The return flight will depart Mattala at 2:40 p.m. and arrive in Minsk at 10:10 p.m. All times are local for the respective airports.

              The flight duration will be approximately 9.5-10 hours.

              https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&rct=j&opi=89978449&url=https://www.themorning.lk/articles/DXt9Zve4mtXCM3leNEv5&ved=2ahUKEwi38K-cruWUAxV2UkEAHQ8mA9EQFnoECBoQAQ&usg=AOvVaw3GrAN3i0pcD7UVkLHiCUCS

                🥰 1

                Leave a comment:

              • banuthev
                replied
                Originally posted by MAW2000
                Dear All,

                Greetings!

                4R-EXQ MSN 3547 A320-232 will leave Fits Air (8D/EXV) Fleet before July.
                Is there any reason why FitsAir is returning 4R-EXQ back to the lessor?

                  Leave a comment:

                • MAW2000
                  replied
                  Dear All,

                  Greetings!

                  4R-EXQ MSN 3547 A320-232 will leave Fits Air (8D/EXV) Fleet before July.
                    😞 3

                    Leave a comment:

                  • banuthev
                    replied
                    Colombo Airport Schedule Flight Information - June 2026 Week 1
                    A/L DEST VIA FLTS
                    PER
                    WEEK
                    IN
                    MAY26 WK4                    		 FLTS
                    PER
                    WEEK
                    IN
                    JUN26
                    WK1                    		 FREQ
                    DIFF
                    3L AUH --- 5 3 -2
                    6E BLR --- 13 13 0
                    6E BOM --- 7 7 0
                    6E DEL --- 6 6 0
                    6E HYD --- 6 6 0
                    6E MAA --- 27 27 0
                    8D DAC --- 5 5 0
                    8D DXB --- 1 0 -1
                    8D MLE --- 7 6 -1
                    AI BOM --- 7 4 -3
                    AI DEL --- 14 12 -2
                    AK KUL --- 7 7 0
                    CA TFU --- 5 3 -2
                    CX HKG --- 7 5 -2
                    EK DXB --- 21 21 0
                    EY AUH --- 25 25 0
                    FD DMK --- 7 6 -1
                    FZ DXB --- 16 15 -1
                    FZ DXB MLE 5 7 2
                    G9 SHJ --- 20 14 -6
                    GF BAH MLE 7 7 0
                    HM SEZ --- 2 1 -1
                    J9 KWI --- 5 5 0
                    KU KWI --- 3 4 1
                    MH KUL --- 7 8 1
                    MU KMG --- 2 2 0
                    MU PVG --- 3 3 0
                    OD KUL --- 4 4 0
                    OQ CKG --- 1 1 0
                    OQ MLE --- 1 1 0
                    OV MCT --- 4 6 2
                    QR DOH --- 21 21 0
                    SQ SIN --- 14 14 0
                    TG BKK --- 7 7 0
                    TK IST --- 8 9 1
                    UL BKK --- 13 14 1
                    UL BLR --- 7 7 0
                    UL BOM --- 9 13 4
                    UL CAN --- 4 4 0
                    UL CDG FRA 2 3 1
                    UL CGK --- 3 4 1
                    UL COK --- 6 5 -1
                    UL DAC --- 6 7 1
                    UL DEL --- 7 10 3
                    UL DMM --- 4 5 1
                    UL DOH --- 3 7 4
                    UL DXB --- 7 5 -2
                    UL GAN --- 2 2 0
                    UL HYD --- 4 4 0
                    UL ICN --- 1 1 0
                    UL IXM --- 5 5 0
                    UL KHI --- 3 4 1
                    UL KTM --- 3 4 1
                    UL KUL --- 10 10 0
                    UL LHE --- 4 4 0
                    UL LHR --- 7 7 0
                    UL MAA --- 18 18 0
                    UL MEL --- 4 7 3
                    UL MEL SYD 3 0 -3
                    UL MLE --- 21 21 0
                    UL NRT --- 4 4 0
                    UL RUH --- 7 6 -1
                    UL SIN --- 10 9 -1
                    UL SYD --- 0 4 1
                    UL TRV --- 3 3 0
                    UL TRZ --- 7 7 0
                    WK ZRH --- 1 0 -1

                      Leave a comment:

                    • ULlove
                      replied
                      Originally posted by A359

                      I believe there are some inaccuracies in the originally quoted article. UL ordered 4 A350-900s from Airbus, and also contracted to lease 4 A350-900s from AerCap. The lease with AerCap was cancelled, with UL paying a substantial penalty, and the aircraft (which were close to completion and partially painted in UL livery) were transferred to Sichuan Airlines.
                      As I understand, Airbus still has the deposits paid by UL for the A350s to be directly purchased. Given the urgent need to update the fleet, I feel UL needs to purchase new aircraft, instead of piecemeal additions of second hand aircraft to the fleet. Ideally the A350 order will be reinstated. Otherwise the deposits should be transferred over to a A330-900 order. Hopefully with new management at UL, idiotic talk of getting free aircraft from Airbus will cease.
                      Its time we forget this UL A350 Dream. Management playing politics as usual and have done nothing with the deposits.

                      We should just focus on getting A330-900 ( Replace both 332 & 333) , A320 NEO and A321NEO. (Replace current CEO/NEO Fleet) with newer aircraft.

                      Route network is fine just re time LHR from afternoon to midnight departure and LHR departure in the morning to Mid night Arrival in CMB.

                      Relaunch AUH (in Partnership with EY), PEK,PVG. More Tier 2 & 3 cities in India, Followed by more destinations in Pakistan, Bangladesh, Vietnam and Indonesia.

                      UL should add value to One world Alliance and its partners. We seem to have been forgotten on OneWorld alliance as i don't see any prominence for UL.

                      Willie Walsh joining IndiGo is good for them and could be a threat for UL. WW is ex.IAG ( British Airways+ Iberia) and could potentially switch IndiGo alliance towards Qatar, BA, Cathay Pacific, Qantas and American Airlines. (Some of these airlines already have feeder networks via IndiGo especially AA,BA , QR and QF). If we do not add value then UL will be run down by IndiGo in no time.
                      Last edited by ULlove; 29-05-2026, 09:55 AM.
                        👍 3

                        Leave a comment:

                      • A359
                        replied
                        Originally posted by Serendib

                        Do you think Sri Lankan needs A350s? Or is the fleet in the present enough?. Please comment 👇


                        I believe there are some inaccuracies in the originally quoted article. UL ordered 4 A350-900s from Airbus, and also contracted to lease 4 A350-900s from AerCap. The lease with AerCap was cancelled, with UL paying a substantial penalty, and the aircraft (which were close to completion and partially painted in UL livery) were transferred to Sichuan Airlines.
                        As I understand, Airbus still has the deposits paid by UL for the A350s to be directly purchased. Given the urgent need to update the fleet, I feel UL needs to purchase new aircraft, instead of piecemeal additions of second hand aircraft to the fleet. Ideally the A350 order will be reinstated. Otherwise the deposits should be transferred over to a A330-900 order. Hopefully with new management at UL, idiotic talk of getting free aircraft from Airbus will cease.
                        Last edited by A359; 27-05-2026, 02:37 PM.

                          Leave a comment:

                        • n863gt
                          replied
                          Originally posted by Serendib

                          Do you think Sri Lankan needs A350s? Or is the fleet in the present enough?. Please comment 👇


                          With the current financial situation in the country, I don't think UL really wants to use A350s, because acquiring one would be expensive because the type is in some demand.
                          their A330s would work for the next 5-6 years, but then they would need to consider alternatives, because at that point their A333 fleet will have an avg age of around 17 years.
                          also considering that the A350 would need some infrastructure changes, more than the A330N, I'd expect to be seeing UL pick up A339s rather than A359s.
                          The other option is to retrofit the A330s with newer cabins(?)
                          do pitch in to this if you want to point something out, : )

                            Leave a comment:

                          • Serendib
                            replied
                            The story of SriLankan Airlines A350 order collapsed ✈️🇱🇰
                            The plan to buy an A350 flight to SriLankan Airlines is a deal that was discussed in the world. But in the end it didn't happen.

                            How the plan started
                            During 2013-2014, Sri Lankan did a deal with Airbus to buy 4 A350-900 flights.
                            The aim was to add a fuel efficient, modern aircraft to long-haul routes, especially London, Europe, Australia routes.

                            A350 is Airbus flagship wide-body aircraft. 25% less fuel consumption, more passenger comfort.

                            Why did the deal get messed up?
                            Started looking for this deal after the government shifted in 2015.
                            The main allegation was that the lack of transparency in the procurement process and the conditions of the aircraft lease agreement were unfair.

                            In 2016, SriLankan officially announced that the A350 order will be cancelled. Had to pay a penalty too.

                            The impact it had
                            The bad side:
                            Long-haul fleet modernization was delayed
                            Had to depend on the A330
                            Airline's reputation had an impact

                            The good side:
                            A350 lease payments වලින් monthly millions of dollars ඉතුරු වුණා
                            Airline is difficult to handle this cost during financial crisis
                            Maintained relationship with Airbus and bought A320neo, A321neo

                            This is the situation right now
                            SriLankan still doesn't have A350s by 2025. The fleet is from A320 family and A330 aircraft.

                            Airline is now focusing on leasing used aircraft and stabilizing the fleet. Buying a brand new wide-body like A350 is not an immediate plan.

                            Learnings
                            There is a big lesson from this incident - an aircraft purchase on a national airline cannot be a political decision. Commercial viability, long-term planning is important.

                            ---
                            Do you think Sri Lankan needs A350s? Or is the fleet in the present enough?. Please comment 👇



                              Leave a comment:

                            • banuthev
                              replied
                              Colombo Airport Schedule Flight Information - May 2026 Week 4
                              A/L DEST VIA FLTS
                              PER
                              WEEK
                              IN
                              MAY26
                              WK3                              		 FLTS
                              PER
                              WEEK
                              IN
                              MAY26
                              WK4                              		 FREQ DIFF
                              3L AUH --- 4 5 1
                              6E BLR --- 12 13 1
                              6E BOM --- 7 7 0
                              6E DEL --- 5 6 1
                              6E HYD --- 5 6 1
                              6E MAA --- 26 27 1
                              8D DAC --- 5 5 0
                              8D DXB --- 2 1 -1
                              8D MLE --- 6 7 1
                              AI BOM --- 6 7 1
                              AI DEL --- 13 14 1
                              AK KUL --- 7 7 0
                              CA TFU --- 4 5 1
                              CX HKG --- 7 7 0
                              EK DXB --- 20 21 1
                              EY AUH --- 26 25 -1
                              FD DMK --- 6 7 1
                              FZ DXB --- 14 16 2
                              FZ DXB MLE 2 5 3
                              G9 SHJ --- 15 20 5
                              GF BAH MLE 7 7 0
                              HM SEZ --- 1 2 1
                              J9 KWI --- 4 5 1
                              KU KWI --- 4 3 -1
                              MH KUL --- 7 7 0
                              MU KMG --- 2 2 0
                              MU PVG --- 3 3 0
                              OD KUL --- 4 4 0
                              OQ CKG --- 1 0 -1
                              OQ MLE --- 1 2 1
                              OV MCT --- 4 4 0
                              QR DOH --- 21 21 0
                              SQ SIN --- 14 14 0
                              TG BKK --- 7 7 0
                              TK IST --- 8 8 0
                              UL BKK --- 10 13 3
                              UL BLR --- 6 7 1
                              UL BOM --- 11 9 -2
                              UL CAN --- 4 4 0
                              UL CDG FRA 3 2 -1
                              UL CGK --- 3 3 0
                              UL COK --- 7 6 -1
                              UL DAC --- 6 6 0
                              UL DEL --- 9 7 -2
                              UL DMM --- 4 4 0
                              UL DOH --- 3 3 0
                              UL DXB --- 7 7 0
                              UL GAN --- 2 2 0
                              UL HYD --- 2 4 2
                              UL ICN --- 0 1 1
                              UL IXM --- 4 5 1
                              UL KHI --- 4 3 -1
                              UL KTM --- 3 3 0
                              UL KUL --- 10 10 0
                              UL LHE --- 4 4 0
                              UL LHR --- 7 7 0
                              UL MAA --- 17 18 1
                              UL MEL --- 4 4 0
                              UL MEL SYD 3 3 0
                              UL MLE --- 21 21 0
                              UL NRT --- 4 4 0
                              UL RUH --- 5 7 2
                              UL SIN --- 8 10 2
                              UL SYD --- 0 3 3
                              UL TRV --- 2 3 1
                              UL TRZ --- 5 7 2
                              WK ZRH --- 2 1 -1

                                Leave a comment:

                              • MAW2000
                                replied
                                Dear All,

                                Fits Air, 8D/EXV has launhced Scheduled Passenger Services to AMD/VAAH effective from 12th June 😎:

                                8D961/2 - D2,D7
                                8D963/4 - D5
                                Last edited by MAW2000; 22-05-2026, 06:42 AM.
                                  😎 1

                                  Leave a comment:

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