That's a very old report by the look of it..

We are waiting eagerly to see the new air crafts Will it happen?
UL buys only A320 i really don't like single aisle planes.
i guess if they need 777 they can get the AI's 772L for a cheap reate which they are planning to sell... what do you think guys.

UL may get more Airbus….





BOC Aviation is the largest Asia-based aircraft leasing company.

What about A350-900 for UL?

The A350-900 is the cornerstone member of Airbus’ all-new A350 XWB Family, which is tailored to meet airlines’ future market requirements in medium-to-long haul operations.

As the first A350 XWB Family version that will enter airline service, the A350-900 has the same optimised cabin cross-section as the other A350 XWB versions (A350-800 and A350-1000) – which ensures maximum comfort for both passengers and crew while guaranteeing operators optimum revenue potential and operating efficiency.

This jetliner typically accommodates 314 passengers in a three-class configuration, while offering unbeatable economics in high-density seating and true long-haul capability with a range of up to 8,100 nautical miles.

Airbus’ right-sized interior cross-section for the A350 XWB Family is five inches larger than the nearest competitor, allowing operators to comfortably accommodate economy class passengers at eight-, nine- or 10-abreast arrangements.



More Info - http://www.airbus.com/aircraftfamili...mily/a350-900/

A350 In Focus - http://www.a350xwb.com/

SriLankan Airlines launches holiday booking engine

SriLankan Airlines said it launched a booking engine to allow guests to book both hotel accommodation and holidays online through its website.

"we place great emphasis on providing our customers with convenient, customised holiday packages," SriLankan Holidays manager, Gayan Peiris said in a statement.

"The booking engine enables them to include elements of wild life or shopping or adventure sports, according to their specific needs." Ground transfers, car hire, expeditions, travel insurance and concert tickets will available in the future, the airline said.

Me too looking forward to see the brandnew widebodies in our national carrier (UL) fleet. But it appears to be UL's financial situation is not allowing them to make an order for brandnew aircraft. I would suggest UL to lease some A332s until they make an order for brandnew widebodies.

As Serendib posted here earlier (http://www.airsrilanka.org/forum/sho...ull=1#post4717), UL is better refurbish the business and economy cabins in all A332s in the existing fleet. 4R-ALH (A332), young widebody aircraft in UL fleet, has returned to the service on 1st February 2013 after completing most of the Business Cabin Reworks. 4R-ALG (A332) is not in service since 1st February 2013, it looks like it has now been sent for maintanance or cabin refurbishment. Perhaps Shashanka / Sakith will share the pictures of the new cabin of 4R-ALH.

UIA Ukraine Airlines is already confirmed to get five ex-AI B772s.

@Sakith - FYI - As of today, UL is sending A343 (4R-ADA) to DEL as UL195. They regularly send A320s to DEL. Any idea why today they are using A343 ?

UL is better wait until some "metoo" carriers to use A350 and let them come up with the good record about this aircraft. Then UL can consider about A350. At the moment leasing A332s is a good choice for UL in my opinion.

What is a website address ?

Holidays New - http://www.srilankan.com/en_uk/lk

Actually BOC aviation owns all the SQ planes, in the SQ's sell-leaseback scheme ..

it was part of SQ's divestment of non-core businesss !!!

BOC Aviation, the Singapore-based aircraft leasing subsidiary of Bank of China.

BOC Aviation, formerly named Singapore Aircraft Leasing Enterprise (SALE)

In 2006 Bank of China bought all shares, To reflect the change in ownership, the company was renamed BOC Aviation in 2007.

Former Shareholder: Singapore Airlines

Divestment= former shareholder

And no, just because BOC Aviation leases more aircraft doesn't mean that they are for UL. That said, some A320/21NEOs could come in handy in the future. And I agree with Banu. More A330s for now, with an order for A350s once they are in service (and have proved themselves as a reliable aircraft).

These days GOSL mainly depends on Chinese finance. Leasing deal between UL & BOC Aviation possible. Be it A320 or A330.

Then again, re: BOC Aviation, no prizes for guessing how their fleet is one of the youngest (Thanks to SQ's Fleet )

BOC Aviation has been assigned investment grade long-term corporate credit ratings of A- from Fitch Ratings and BBB from Standard and Poor’s. It is also the leading Asia-based aircraft leasing company with a fleet of modern aircraft flying with over 50 airlines worldwide.

The BOC Aviation portfolio is one of the youngest in the leasing business with an average owned aircraft age of under 4 years. The fleet is primarily based on the popular Airbus A320 family and Boeing Next Generation 737 series as well as the Embraer 190/195 family. It also includes select widebody types, such as the Airbus A330 and Boeing 777. Besides direct orders with manufacturers, BOC Aviation also grows its fleet via purchase and leasebacks with airlines.

BOC Aviation offers a wide range of lease management and aircraft finance services, both directly and through its parent company Bank of China. For airlines seeking to finance their own aircraft purchases, BOC Aviation is able to arrange competitive debt facilities through Bank of China. This service can be provided on a standalone basis or as part of a wider package combining debt with operating leases.

BOC Aviation is headquartered in Singapore, with regional offices in Dublin, Ireland and Seattle, USA. The Company is 100% owned by Bank of China.

‘Cinnamon Air’ acquires two aircraft

And then QF's plans .. I wonder if SL can slot in somewhere by selling themselves better

Qantas will open its new passenger lounge at Changi Airport on March 31, as it moves to boost its Asian presence. A similar facility will be available to customers at Hong Kong International Airport in September, the airline said on Monday. A total of $9 million has been invested in the upgrades.

More services as Qantas broadens reach in Asia

SYDNEY - Australian flag-carrier Qantas Monday announced plans to broaden its reach in Asia as part of a strategy to turn around its struggling international arm, with several extra destinations being considered.

The move is a consequence of its global alliance with Dubai-based Emirates, which means its services to Asia will no longer be tied to onward links to Europe.

New direct destinations from Australia being considered include Beijing, Seoul, Mumbai, Delhi and Tokyo-Haneda, while increasing capacity and frequency of flights to Hong Kong and Singapore.

Qantas International chief executive Simon Hickey said Asia was a key pillar of the company's future.

"Our first step has been to restructure existing services to Asia now that they are no longer tied to onward links to Europe," he said.

"The number of dedicated seats on Qantas services to Hong Kong and Singapore is increasing significantly, because capacity previously set aside for customers going to Europe via these hubs can be freed up.

"The joint Qantas-Emirates network into Asia gives our customers a fresh set of options, including double daily services to Singapore from Melbourne, Sydney and Brisbane," he added.

"The maturing Jetstar network gives travellers another set of alternatives once they land in Asia."

As part of the plan, from March 31 arrival times into Hong Kong, Bangkok and Singapore will be brought forward by up to three hours to increase the number of onward connections while Kuala Lumpur will added as a destination.

The other new destinations are not likely until 2016.

Other changes will see Qantas reducing its Perth-Singapore services to one per day and ceasing its Adelaide-Singapore and Perth-Hong Kong services but boost Brisbane-Hong Kong flights from four per week to seven, and add four additional weekly Sydney-Singapore services.

The airline has also brought forward the end date for its loss-making Frankfurt flights by six months to 15 April.

Australia's competition watchdog last month gave Qantas and Emirates permission to launch their global alliance in which the airlines will coordinate ticket prices and flight schedules. But the Qantas-Emirates partnership remains subject to government and regulatory approval.

Qantas will shift its hub for European flights to Dubai from Singapore while ending its partnership with British Airways on the so-called kangaroo route to London.

The tie-up is seen as vital to the sustainability of Qantas, which last year posted its first annual deficit since privatisation in 1995 due to tough regional competition and high fuel costs for its international arm.

-AFP