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**Cayman** · 30-05-2016, 02:30 PM

Originally posted by ejanson65 View Post

What deal? Qatar has never been interested. Akbar showed up, laughed in their face, and left.

Actually, Al Baker did a bit more.

He asked them why a Chrysler was sent to pick him up instead of a Mercedes

**LukeSkywalker** · 30-05-2016, 10:27 PM

Originally posted by banuthev View Post

I have been hearing shocking rumours about UL lately.

* UL to cancel CDG & FRA;
* UL to re-lease three of it's A330-300s (ALM, ALN, ALP) to another airline;
* MJ to launch FCO with 4R-ALJ;
* UL will have only 4 x Widebody (A333) from mid 2017;
* UL will have long-haul flights to only LHR, NRT, PEK, PVG;

Some one please confirm if it's true? :-(

If they want a viable option it's the new ones they can lease out and continue to utilize the 332. Not the ideal option but given the current dire situation they might have no option.

Jet airways did the same with their new 777s not so recently, it just a matter of taking some hard decisions. I hope they do the same with their staff too.

**Speedbird** · 31-05-2016, 02:11 AM

Originally posted by TheF15Ace View Post

... How on earth do they plan to pay so many employees while throwing away so much revenue?

"We need to cut down loss making routes and now aircrafts" (Sarcasm)

...last time I checked neither routes or aircrafts can talk back

**TheF15Ace** · 31-05-2016, 03:59 AM

Originally posted by Speedbird View Post

"We need to cut down loss making routes and now aircrafts" (Sarcasm)

...last time I checked neither routes or aircrafts can talk back

I'm just surprised Mr tough guy Suren Ratwatte didn't even try to threaten/blackmail/terminate anybody from this "rogue flight attendants union''. He did say ''I am here to make big decisions and ride my bicycle on my off days.”

Or is one of the company's biggest (and most high maintenance) work groups giving them the finger below his pay grade -_-

**ecureilx** · 31-05-2016, 02:25 PM

Originally posted by LukeSkywalker View Post

Jet airways did the same with their new 777s not so recently, it just a matter of taking some hard decisions. I hope they do the same with their staff too.

I think 9W leased them off the factory to TK.

And likewise, somebody also sent new frames to AI some time ago.

Originally posted by banuthev View Post

I hear UL is going to stop all the layovers for cabin crew on the flights to KMG, DXB, AUH, PVG & PEK. So all these flights are going to be turnarounds some extra seats will be blocked for the additional crew.

Well, would that also include those over nighting in KUL, SIN .. ????

A lot of LCCs don't over night staff, unless the staff agree to stay on their own pocket, with a minor allowance. Whereas for legacy carriers, over nighting is a lucrative form of extra pay !

**ejanson65** · 31-05-2016, 07:32 PM

Originally posted by Max View Post

KMPG to assist NSB in SriLankan Airlines restructure

In the quest to find a strategic partner for SriLankan Airlines which has become a heavy financial burden to the country, the government has selected audit firm KMPG to expedite the re-orientation process, officials said. KMPG will assist the National Savings Bank (NSB) the lead manager appointed by the cabinet, in finding an international investment bank to handle the restructure exercise.

The audit firm will decide on recruiting necessary experts to obtain professional support on various aspects of re-orientation of the Sri Lankan Airlines expeditiously. The Cabinet Committee on Economic Management (CCEM) has directed the authorities to conduct valuations and put out the Request for Proposals (RFP) to select a suitable investor for the airline by July 1.

In order to avoid possible delays, a suitable time frame has been be set for investors to submit proposals and strictly adhere to the same, a senior government official said. An international investment bank with aviation expertise had to be selected, as “there is no local party with airline expertise”, he said adding that documents for RFPs would be issued with the assistance of the investment bank. He said the government will have to write off the carrier’s carried forward debt and it will also need to address the issue of 7,000+ employees.

SriLankan Airlines employee to aircraft ratio with 21 aircraft is one of the highest in the world with around 340 employees per aircraft.

http://www.sundaytimes.lk/160529/bus...re-195052.html

He said the government will have to write off the carrier’s carried forward debt and it will also need to address the issue of 7,000+ employees.

Not sure why the people of Sri Lanka should have to pay for this when:-

- Half the 2005 Tsunami aid is unaccounted for (source BBC).
- Almost $20 Billion Dollars has been transferred out of the country (nobody seems to be doing anything about it).
- Theft/Fraud/Corruption/Incompetence and Nepotism at UL continues to go unpunished and uninvestigated.
- $$ Millions made on the sale/leaseback and commissions on the aircraft deal that has bankrupted the airline and the country (no investigation as far as I know).

How about getting some of this money back instead?

Here's a good place to start.

Marriott Hotel Al Jaddaf, Dubai · Oud Metha Rd - Al Jaddaf - Dubai - United Arab Emirates

https://www.google.nl/maps/place/Marriott+Hotel+Al+Jaddaf/@25.2113718,55.313279,17z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m5!3m4!1s0x3e5f5d5494a4fd4b:0xa69aa7dfd3aa8517!8m2!3d25.211367!4d55.315473?hl=en

★★★★☆ · Hotel

**banuthev** · 01-06-2016, 08:46 PM

Originally posted by Aaqib View Post

Hope UL brings in either a couple of ATR42-600's or preferably the Bombardier Dash8 Q-200's which would be ideal for domestic service.
I do agree with the wastage of resources by Helitours as they operate only on Monday Wednesdays and Fridays
Getting a seat is pretty tough due to all the flights been booked well in advance.They should really think on increasing their frequency as the demand is very high and the fares being quite affordable.

Is Helitours still flying on MA60 on their domestic ops?

I read on the CH Aviation that CAA of SL have grounded the pair of Helitours MA60s from flying for passenger operations due to unspecified technical issue on the aircraft . What a waste of money for getting MA60s. Currently Helitours doing the ops on Y12 & Bell 412. Now Helitours looking at leasing two more aircraft for domestic ops.

**abhijith16** · 02-06-2016, 08:09 AM

Originally posted by ecureilx View Post

I think 9W leased them off the factory to TK.

And likewise, somebody also sent new frames to AI some time ago.

No, 9W didn't send them directly off from the factory to TK. 9W did take them, but because of overcapacity at the time, sought to use the 77Ws as a way to earn revenue by leasing them out to TG/TK. Eventually, EY came along, and began restructuring Jet (and took 6 of the leased 77Ws).

Now that Jet is in the pink of its health, EY is set to return them starting August, so that Jet can use to upgauge their existing A330 services to AMS/CDG/YYZ, so that the same A330s could be used to replace some of the regional flying (DXB/SIN/BKK), which in turn allows for more of their narrowbodies to be utilized in domestic/Gulf market.

So yes, just as 9W did, UL needs to swallow their pride and take the poison pill in order to restructure, otherwise it'll die a slow and painful death..

**Haleef** · 02-06-2016, 10:17 AM

Originally posted by banuthev View Post

Is Helitours still flying on MA60 on their domestic ops?

I read on the CH Aviation that CAA of SL have grounded the pair of Helitours MA60s from flying for passenger operations due to unspecified technical issue on the aircraft . What a waste of money for getting MA60s. Currently Helitours doing the ops on Y12 & Bell 412. Now Helitours looking at leasing two more aircraft for domestic ops.

Yes, the MA60s have been grounded, and only one of that is in operation. Takes off rarely in the morning and afternoon, even 30 minutes back it took off. But I don't think on Helitours passenger OPS. Waste of money buying these aircraft. It would be better if SLAF could get down two C130 Hercules aircraft, which are more big and reliable. Nice to see if they lease or buy a wide body prop, instead of a helicopter or small Y12 aircraft. Fits Air's (Former Expo Air) Fokker F27 aircraft is also currently on ground with one of its' propellor removed. Wonder why? And any reason of whether it will fly or any otherthing...? One of my favorite birds, the F27, AN32s and the C130. Takes me back to those good old times at Ratmalana. Heard that the No.2 squadron will also be brought back to Ratmalana, due to the 2nd Runway project at Katunayake.

**Serendib** · 02-06-2016, 09:14 PM

Originally posted by ecureilx View Post

I think 9W leased them off the factory to TK.

And likewise, somebody also sent new frames to AI some time ago.

Well, would that also include those over nighting in KUL, SIN .. ????

A lot of LCCs don't over night staff, unless the staff agree to stay on their own pocket, with a minor allowance. Whereas for legacy carriers, over nighting is a lucrative form of extra pay !

SriLankan Airlines to ground overweight cabin crew

SriLankan Airlines To Ground Overweight Cabin Crew - Colombo Telegraph

https://www.colombotelegraph.com/index.php/srilankan-airlines-to-ground-overweight-cabin-crew/

[…]

**Sandaru** · 04-06-2016, 07:26 AM

Is it true that someone is preparing to launch a new airline as "Peace Air" with Boeing 737s ??

**Sandaru** · 04-06-2016, 07:49 AM

Originally posted by Serendib View Post

SriLankan Airlines to ground overweight cabin crew
https://www.colombotelegraph.com/ind...ht-cabin-crew/

In my point of view, this is a good decision took by the airline, I've seen some chubby out of shape flight attendants that's not looks good for the saree!!

**banuthev** · 04-06-2016, 08:37 AM

Originally posted by Sandaru View Post

In my point of view, this is a good decision took by the airline, I've seen some chubby out of shape flight attendants that's not looks good for the saree!!

Plus UL have to focus more on Customer Service and Ontime performance on Flights. Good thing is cabins of half of UL fleet is now New (4 x A320 & 7 x A333). Cabin crew have to be in service only upto the age of 35 and the airline have to take the strict disciplinary action on the staff who have the poor performance towards the customers.

**banuthev** · 04-06-2016, 08:44 AM

Originally posted by Sandaru View Post

Is it true that someone is preparing to launch a new airline as "Peace Air" with Boeing 737s ??

Is it Private airline to serve out of Sri Lanka ? Is it passenger or cargo operation ? Where they planning to serve? How many B737s they are looking to get ? Wish they operate to secondary hubs in India e.g. Pune, Goa, Vizag etc.. So those pax can connect with UL flights to/from Medium & Long hauls.
Sri Lanka had the golden opportunity Air Arabia was about to make a hub in Sri Lanka to serve the flights to Far East but the MR Gov didn't allow.

**LukeSkywalker** · 04-06-2016, 11:38 AM

Originally posted by Sandaru View Post

Is it true that someone is preparing to launch a new airline as "Peace Air" with Boeing 737s ??

I wouldn't take anything related with Peace Air seriously at all. The first version of it started way back around 25 years ago with announcements of operations with a couple of 747 combis.... which supposedly floundered due to lack of government approval to support the national airline according to interviews given by the owner then....

This outfit and backer resurfaced again (can't remember the name) right about the time when UL was being privatized by CBK's government and there were some news paper articles about this 'gallant' backer was going to outbid EK ensuring that UL did not fall into foriegn hands....

Now it appears he is back again... looks like of some sort of racketeering to me as a lot of other airlines have started in the 25 years in SL this operation has been 'attempting' to fly.

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