That doesn't mean anything - flights to Frankfurt were full as well. Former CEO Kapila said at a meeting that they needed 125% load factor to break even.

The problem is that the new fleet is leased at such high rates that it is impossible to make money no matter how full flights are.

Massive losses support this.

4R-ALC seems to be having a tech issue and is still on ground at MLE after operating as UL103 last night. Also, last night's UL 604 to MEL departed with a delay of approx 8 hours at 8.00 AM this morning as UL604D probably due to the same reason since 4R-ALC may have been originally scheduled to operate UL604 last night. Airport website has the return UL104 from MLE last night as delayed until 17:50 this evening.

Flt delays at SriLankan Airlines on Thursday

A variety of reasons caused delays to several SriLankan Airlines flights on May 3.

The untimely sickness of a passenger inbound from the Gulf initiated a diversion to Cochin on one flight. Another aircraft inbound from Kuwait was caught in a dust-storm and required attention from Engineering. Two other aircraft were delayed for technical reasons that have since been resolved, the airline said in a media release on Thursday.
In February too, the airline experienced delays and congestion at Colombo Airport, on one or two days “Due to a combination of unforeseen events, including a bird strike which damaged an aircraft in Cochin, our valued customers have been subjected to great inconvenience and delayed flights,” the airline said at that time.

On Thursday, the airline said that the lack of aircraft meant that a number of flights, namely UL884 Colombo-Melbourne, UL281 Colombo-Jeddah, UL314 Colombo-Kuala Lumpur, UL406 Colombo-Bangkok and UL 604 Melbourne-Colombo suffered prolonged delays.

“SriLankan Airlines deeply regrets any inconvenience caused our valued customers. All passengers who had checked in were provided complimentary hotel accommodation and/or meals at the airport by the airline,” it said. - ENDS -

Source:Sunday times

Don't worry Mr."Fakenews" CEO. This will all increase again once the A330-300 aircraft are leased out of the fleet to Turkey, while they make money and we make losses and delays.
Well done.

I think nothing wrong with age of the aircraft. It's depends on how does the Engineering department maintaining the aircraft. The airline like LH is operating aged aircraft in the good condition. If this continue UL may loose the license to maintain aircraft and they will loose the customers like Indigo.

Today another 7 SriLankan flights delayed due to dust storm in India. Any news about 4R-ALC?

It's back flying and currently operating as UL605 from MEL.

SriLankan Airlines is reducing the frequency of flights to Hong Kong and Muscat from this month. Hong Kong flights have been reduced from 5 to 3 weekly and Muscat flights have been reduced from Daily to 5 weekly.

Flight Schedule : https://www.airsrilanka.org/flightin...an-may2018.pdf

Now that this corrupt deal has been exposed it probably won't happen.

V sad news .. load factor was v good at UL

This definitely is a part of the plan of current government to bankrupt the airline and sell it to the buyer who gives the highest commission.... Its obvious that only way to let the airline down is to strip off the profitable routes and add more and more non profitable destinations.... And of course rent out the newer A330-300 s to some cheep airline again gives the most commission..... We are so unfortunate to see such a beautiful national treasure go because of a mad corrupt government like this!!!

any chance Lufthansa is making a cargo hub in colombo??

Lufthansa consolidates cargo links with SriLankan Airlines

Azamh & Haleef,

I wonder why UL is still using A320/A321neo to HKG after reducing the frequency of HKG flights from 5 to 3 weekly. It would have been better if they use A333 on HKG route. CX is flying 3 weekly B74F to CMB. There is good demand for Cargo between HKG & CMB.

Haleef & Aaqib,

Did FitsAir return the MD82SF to lessor due to new collaboration between LH & UL ? Before UL use FitsAir's MD82SF for the dedicated cargo routes. Looks like UL doesn't have deal with Fitsair anymore. please confirm if FitsAir will return to cargo business again?

The problem is that the GOSL won't let this Airline go under - and this threatens to drag the entire country under.

The IMF will force a shutdown - gives the GOSL a way out of this mess - they can blame everything on the IMF.

The only way forward imho is to start from zero with a new Airline that is 100% privately owned with no Sri Lankans in any management positions.