I don't think the government is going to approve JQ Sri Lanka's license anytime soon given the fact that UL and MJ are not in good position, in particular MJ. UL itself needs at least another 3 years to consolidate and build up its strength, in terms of networks and financials. MJ is still far away. Putting JQ in the Sri Lanka aviation map will blow both carriers out from the orbit. The risk is too high. It may be nice but just not "doable" at this stage.

Could their ERJs make it all the way from UAE to CMB? I wonder who they will be carrying on these flights. It is from Abu Dhabi's executive airport so it sounds like its for business purposes?

I give this 6 months tops! What sort of a market is there from a business airport in Abu Dhabi to Sri Lanka? There is no transfer traffic from AZI. And the Sri Lankan labour traffic certainly are not going to be using AZI.
I am really baffled as to what sort of market there is for these flights. I would love to see this work out but I really am doubtful.

Really? The flights are cheap... starting $150 one way. The labour traffic don't care what airport they use as long as they get there?

exactly!!!!!!!!! only a retard cannot afford $150 ............... haters always have something to say :P

MASkargo have ended CMB service according to their schedule.

Hmmm...very strong statement as per UN 20% Sri Lankan population lives under the poverty line ($1 day). 99% votes for MR and as per you they are all "retards" and Hambantota district has a higher % of "retards".

$150 equates to around AED540...same prices as Air Arabia & how that turn out to be

Promo fares were 399AED one way, 899 return... most fares probably higher. Is Air Arabia not doing well to CMB?

Air Arabia pulled out of HRI...they are doing well in Colombo

From when MJ started fly to DAC with UL metal?

Their website says they offer business class to DAC. Flightradar24 says it is being operated by 4R-ABJ/ABL from Summer.

COLOMBO, April 7 (Xinhua) -- Abu Dhabi-based airline Rotana Jet will start flights to Sri Lanka's Colombo and Mattala airports from Wednesday, the company said in a statement on Monday.

As a part of the airline's expansion, Rotana Jet has added Sri Lanka as its newest destination.

The airline will operate three flights per week from Al Bateen Airport in Abu Dhabi to Sri Lanka's main international airport in the outskirts of Colombo and to the second Chinese-built international airport in the South, Mattala airport, using an Airbus A319 aircraft in Business and Economy Class.

Fly Dubai the budget airline already operates from Mattala airport.

The airline expects to increase the frequencies to six flights soon, the company said in a statement.

The airline, which started as a charter airline, currently operates flights to Bahrain, Muscat and Salalah in addition to flights to Sir Bani Yas Island, Fujairah, Delma and Dubai.

The Mattala airport was built with a Chinese loan at a cost of 210 million U.S. dollars and is compatible with the latest Airbus A380 aircraft.

Tourism has boomed in post-war Sri Lanka with an increase in arrivals from the Middle East. Last year 24,679 tourists from the Middle East arrived in Sri Lanka, according to the Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority.

Overall the island attracted over 1.2 million arrivals and earned 1.4 billion U.S. dollars from the tourism industry in 2013. Sri Lanka hopes to attract 2.5 million tourists by 2016.

to this: the a320's previously in UL colors i.e: 4R-ABJ/L are now with mihin becoz these two a320's lease terms are over with UL (this i got to knw from an employee of the airline) and i remember faintly though that in the 5 yr biz plan of UL which was recently a news article mentioned that 2 a320 will walk out of UL fleet becz 3 ex-QR a321's are taken delivery of by the airline.

In addition the SL cricket team arrived from DAC to CMB on board MJ502 with UL livery and ex- UL J/Y interiors where seat head covers with MJ logo. I assume the a/c is still not retrofitted with MJ interiors or livery. the pics are available on the SL cricket facebook fan page.

BOLD part - Thanks for the clarification bro.

I was wondering why MJ seat covers were visible when they were showing a UL Aircraft was carrying the team.

yep your welcome XD