UL New Biz Class

I think it's a Hajj flight

The link doesn't work ...?

We have moved the "Fleet Watch" to Blogs Section - http://www.airsrilanka.org/forum/ent...?9-Fleet-Watch

According to Air finance Journal news published on 06 February 2012.

BOC Aviation has issued a request for proposal to finance two Boeing 777-300ER long-range, wide-body, twin-engine jet airliner manufactured by Boeing.



777-300ER

The 777-300ER ("ER" for Extended Range) is the B-market version of the −300. It features raked and extended wingtips, a new main landing gear, reinforced nose gear, and extra fuel tanks. The −300ER also has a strengthened fuselage, wings, empennage, and engine attachments.

The standard GE90-115B turbofan is the world's most powerful jet engine in service, with a maximum thrust of 115,300 lbf (513 kN). The maximum range is 7,930 nautical miles (14,690 km), made possible due to a higher MTOW along with the increased fuel capacity.

The −300ER can fly approximately 34 percent further than the −300 with a full load of passengers and cargo. Following flight testing, the implementation of engine, wing, and weight modifications produced an added 1.4 percent reduction in fuel consumption.

Using only two engines produces a typical operating cost advantage of around 8–9 percent for the −300ER over the A340-600.

The 777-300ER direct Airbus competitors have included the A340-600HGW and the upcoming A350-1000.



Which airline is the customer of Boeing 777-300ER? Currently financed by BOC Aviation.

SriLankan and Mihin Lanka to acquire 9 more aircraft

SriLankan and Mihin Lanka airlines would acquire nine additional aircraft to increase its capacity to 30 in the next three years said Chairman SriLankan Airlines, Nishantha Wickramasinghe. Speaking at a press conference at The Arabian Travel Mart he said that currently both airlines have 21 aircraft and this would be made 30 by 2015. He said that they would also add Seoul to the airline radar by the end of this year and would also increase frequencies to India by the end of this year.
The airline currently flies 47 times a week to nine of the GCC countries in the Middle East, extending SriLankan’ s renowned warm hospitality to Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Bahrain, Doha, Muscat, Dammam, Riyadh, Jeddah and Kuwait.

Since last year, SriLankan increased its frequencies to Bahrain (three to four), Doha (five to daily), Muscat (two to four) and Jeddah (three) each week. From May 01, the airline will have a daily direct service to Kuwait.

Flights to Kuwait were earlier routed through Dubai, so re-linking the two cities will ensure speedier outbound travel for passengers to Colombo and beyond.

“This is a 42% increase,” he said. From January to April this year, our cabin factors in the Middle East have gone up 90% year-on-year. This is a remarkable achievement which also shows the confidence travellers of the Gulf region have on SriLankan Airlines,”

He said that the airline has rapid expansion plans for this year and has aggressive plans for the country’s second international airport in Mattala. The Ambassador to Sri Lanka in UAE Sarath Wijesinghe said that UAE is one of the biggest trading partners of Sri Lanka with over US $ one billion trade between the two countries last year. With the visit of the UAE Foreign Minister to Sri Lanka next month more investments would follow. Sri Lanka is looking at working with Dubai Port World to market the Hambantota Port.

Talks would also be held soon with the Dubai Port World to seek their assistance to promote the Hambantota harbour.

Investment opportunities for Sri Lankans in UAE is also great as several international consortiums operating from the UAE are ready to extend credit facilities for mega projects that are over US $ one billion.

This could be for both the private and government sector.

Mobile air stairs, so cheaper handling charges ? or does CMB have fixed handling charges ?

9 new aircrafts in 3 years…

Looks like they finalizing the deal, But Boeing or Airbus?

According to Air finance Journal news published on 06 February 2012, BOC Aviation has issued a request for proposal to finance two Boeing 777-300ER.

But customer of Boeing 777-300ER remains unknown.

Edelweiss Air Cancels Sri Lanka Service; Maldives Operation Adjustment in W12
by JL
Update at 0800GMT 01MAY12

Swiss leisure carrier Edelweiss Air in Winter 2012/13 season is adjusting service to South Asia. Service to Colombo, which was introduced as winter seasonal flight in 2011/12, will not be resumed in 2012/13, after 28OCT12. Service to Male in the Maldives remains twice weekly flight, same as Winter 2011/12, but it’ll operate as nonstop in both direction.

Schedule:

WK066/LX8066 ZRH1850 – 0810+1MLE 333 6
WK066/LX8066 ZRH2100 – 1020+1MLE 333 1

WK067/LX8067 MLE1010 – 1630ZRH 333 7
WK067/LX8067 MLE1210 – 1830ZRH 333 2

Note Edelweiss made the announcement of Sri Lanka service cancellation in Feb 2012. SriLankan Airlines in April 2012 announced the cancellation of Colombo – Zurich service from Sep 2012.

Highly doubt UL would be the customer for the 777s. Best way to determine who its for is to look through BOC Aviation's previous press releases (Im assuming they wouldve confirmed a customer before ordering the aircraft).

SriLankan to increase flights to GCC

SriLankan Airlines is increasing its flight frequency to the GCC in efforts to grab a larger share of the growing regional travel market, a top company executive told Gulf News.

SriLankan Airlines recorded a 42 per cent increase in overall capacity to the Middle East in the year to date for March 2012, said Nishantha Wickremasinghe, chairman of SriLankan Airlines, on the sidelines of the Arabian Travel Market yesterday.

He expects 10 per cent growth in business to the Middle East this year.

The airline is targeting 30 planes by 2015, split between Airbus and Boeing, and expects to place an order by the end of the year, he said.

Good to hear UL is to place a widebody aircraft order by the end of the year and the order is going to be placed to both Airbus and Boeing. In my opionion UL should get three B777-300ERs and six A330-300s.

Sri Lanka Australia direct flights soon

The Civil Aviation Ministry will commence direct flights to Australia soon.

Discussions in this regard was held between External Affairs Deputy Minister Neomal Perera and Australian Immigration and Citizenship Minister Chris Bowen.

The Air Services Agreement in this regard was signed by Minister Bowen and Civil Aviation Minister Priyankara Jayaratne at the External Affairs Ministry yesterday.

Max , the headline is a littel misleading - this is just the ASA air services agreement , while the Australian Minister is in CMB , yields are the lowest in over 20 years ex Australia

SriLankan extends wings to Jaffna Peninsula

SriLankan Airlines on Friday extended wings to the northern tip of the island, opening a branch in the Jaffna Peninsula.

Considering the increasing customer base for air travel to and from the northern region, the new operation will expand the size of the airline’s local market, a statement said.

“We are reaching out strategically to establish closer links with the communities in every area of Sri Lanka through our network of passenger sales agent and I am pleased to announce that Jaffna is among the first such offices to be re-opened,” the airline's Chief Marketing Officer, G T Jeyaseelan said.

“We are also aware of the great potential for growth in the region,” Jeyaseelan said.

The branch office will handle reservations, ticketing, Prepaid Ticket Advices, requests for special services, information on fares, schedules and packages.