Take a look at this unusual taxi path taken by this QR A346 prior to takeoff. Is this due to space constraints at BIA for an aircraft this size or due to any repair works on the main taxiway

Nah, they didn't have a ceremony for ALQ, it was just a musical program for ITN. I saw a recent photo of ALQ at Gate A9 or A7 saying 'The brand new a330, 4R-ALQ is flying on her first flight to Male as UL115', but how did it fly without IFE checks? Still didn't get any info of the A359s... I'll let you know..

Sri Lanka's state airline may have to cancel A350 orders: Minister

ECONOMYNEXT - Sri Lanka's state-run SriLankan Airlines may have to cancel some of the Airbus A350 aircraft ordered by the ousted Rajapaksa regime paying a penalty, which make the airline suffer losses of 955 million US dollars, a minister has said.

Many of SriLankan Airlines long-haul destinations to Europe is suffering losses, partly due to the use of old aircraft but also due to competition from privatized European airlines and Middle Eastern carriers which are owned by feudal rulers who run airlines on private sector lines.

Though many of SriLankan Airline's short-haul Indian and far eastern routes are making profits European routes are loss.

State Enterprises Development Minister Kabir Hashim said long-haul routes were making loss.

"Though we have ordered (A350s), we do not need them," he told parliament. "We have to pay 50 million dollars to cancel the order. Whose money is this?"

Some of the aircraft had already been delivered. A350 production slots have some demand and it is not clear whether any attempt has been made to trade them.

One of the aircraft had a kit to convert business class to a super luxury airborne suite, which Present Maithripala Sirisena cancelled soon after coming to power.

SriLankan Airlines was running profitably until ex-President Mahinda Rajapaksa cancelled a management and equity partnership with Emirates, reportedly after some of his entourage was put on separate flights, sending the airline into a tale-spin.

His brother-in-law was appointed chairman.

Losses up to March 2015 totalled 955 million rupees, Hashim said. A 500 million dollar tax-payer bailout was arranged out of which 375 million has been given, Hashim said.

Lower fuel prices have brought some benefits to the airline this year. Meanwhile the airline had said it may cut some 'vanity routes' to save money.

During the last regime attempts to cut a loss-making run to Rome was reportedly thwarted by President Rajapaksa at the behest of a religious leader. Sri Lanka's hoteliers have are also pressuring the airline run direct flights to Europe to boost their own profits. (Colombo/Dec29/2015)

So this must be the directly ordered 4 from Airbus

Hmm yes.

UL may phase out and retire four A330-200 planes next year.

The Airbus A330-200s have been replaced with one A330-300 (4R-ALR) & three A350-900 (Leased from AerCap).

Final registration 4R-ALR has been applied: https://flic.kr/p/CBKjh2

sriLankan airlines will be delivered first Airbus A350-900 in June 2016


registration F-WZFA

From my understanding, Four of the A350-941s were signed with Airbus on the basis of firm order with a planned delivery date in 2020. Normally firm order is a signed contract for delivery of an aircraft at an agreed price, at an agreed delivery time. Typically, firm orders require some down payment, and progress payments leading up to aircraft delivery. But previous UL management were planned to buy the four A350-941s on firm order in 2020 then sell and lease back from leasing company.

My suggestion could be wrong but i think UL should take delivery of those four A359s then sell them to other airline or leasing company to avoid penalty charges from Airbus.

Today, UL115 operated by 4R-ABQ not 4R-ALQ. Still no movements of 4R-ALQ since it's been delivered to CMB on the 25-Dec-15.

UL were ordered 7 x A330-343Es to replace six A343s and one A332 (4R-ALG). Three A359s from AerCap replacing 4R-ALH, 4R-ALJ and other A332(Don't know the registration)

Sorry, I forgot to mention it flew as UL115 on Friday. Today ABQ is operating 115 (My father is flying on that flight).

Government shopping for ideas on how to utilise Mattala profitably

View(s):

Director General of Civil Aviation H.M.C. Nimalsiri, said said last week, government was looking abroad for ideas on how best use could be made of the Mattala Rajapaksa International Airport (MRIA).

“We are going to call for expressions of interest to find to what kind of proposals people have in mind and see how it (Mattala) can be made use of,” he said.

He added, at present, there were only limited ideas as to how the facility could be profitably used. By calling for expressions of interest internationally he hoped new proposals could be generated.

He added the process would include publication of advertisements in foreign aviation magazines which are likely to cost the country considerably.

“Basically, we have spent some money and we have to spend some more money to make sure it (Mattala) can be made use of,” Mr Nimalsiri said.

Despite various concessions being granted to attract international airlines to the MIRA, they have not proved successful and the US$ 210 million MRIA has proved to be a white elephant ever since it was opened in an extravagant ceremony in March 2013.

During that period the airport was used mainly by the two state carriers -SriLankan Airlines and Mihin Lanka. At present, FlyDubai operates a daily flight to Mattala while Rotana Jet operates flights twice a week.

Mattala and profitability are two words that will never go together imho.

Airport was built for political reasons not economic reasons (there will never be an economic case for this airport imho). I'm sure a select few and their cronies got rich on all the side deals and corruption associated with this project. The Sri Lankan taxpayer will have to foot the bill (again).

Once again the GOSL is out of ideas (and out of money) and is not prepared to make the decisions that need to be made.

Where's the investigation into this mess? How about some accountability!

Best option imho:- Close this asap.

Accountability and SriLankan are two words that will never go together.

A lorry which brought some musical items to the musical program held couple of days ago, crashed into an engine of 4R-ADE.
Source lankaaviationnews.com

Rahal, Very sad to hear engine of the 4R-ADE damaged after it's been hit by a lorry. Any idea how did this happened? I thought 4R-ADE not parked in the hangar since it's been completed most of the lease-return checks. Is it a severe damage to an engine , which could delay the process of lease-return. On the other hand, CMB hangar is currently filled with many aircraft due to lease return checks for 4R-ALG/DF and preflight checks for ALQ if im not mistaken.