MI merging with SQ. This is indeed possible.

It’d be better they operated under Scoot instead utilizing Silkair aircraft

Then there’s going to be Direct competition with AirAsia

I think on a scale of 1-10 - I'm thinking at a rating of 4/10, SriLankan will be much better without 'Mr. Fake News' in position. But still I highly doubt this. Hoping for a better future, we'll see.

Neos Airlines to re-launch Colombo flights.

Italy based, Neos Airlines is going to resume direct flights to Colombo from Milano from 5th Nov 2018. The flight will be operated by Boeing 787-9 aircraft. Colombo flight will be operated every Mondays for Winter 2018 Season.

Flight Schedule

Milan - Male' - Monday - NO110 - 21:30 - 10:50+1
Male' - Colombo - Tuesday - NO141 - 12:30 - 13:55
Colombo - Milan - Tuesday - NO141 - 15:05 - 21:55

Is it true Etihad is going to reduce Colombo flights from double daily to single daily?

Suspension lifted, but SriLankan not using facility for four of five neo planes; why?

Which explains why someone earlier posted on this forum that 4R-ANB was flying direct from Bangkok to Colombo over sea. Even I joticed it happening on another day, that too only on the return flight. Thr flight never takes the route over sea when it is flying to Bangkok from Colombo.

4R-ANC is now flying over sea! Good to see!

After SriLankan Airlines commenced daily flights between Melbourne and Colombo in October 2017, Australian arrivals into Sri Lanka in the January-April period surged 58.3 per cent year-on-year to 38,100, while arrivals to the Maldives in January-March 2018 were up 40 per cent to 7,929.

Cathay Pacific, AirAsia, Qatar Airways, Malindo Air, Malaysian, China Eastern (Shanghai flight) and Turkish Airlines have reduced the frequency of flights to Sri Lanka this month.

Any idea why?



But good to see Silk Air & China Eastern (Kunming flight) have increased the frequency of flight to four weekly. Rotana Jet planning a return to Colombo.

Two additional directors appointed to UL Board. Is this a positive development?

Yes it is.



Actually, Sri Lanka was experienced a capacity dump in the past. As most of the airline were penetrating the market. Colombo is a low yield destination due to excessive of frequency (Except India & Maldives). Now the airlines are moving in the right direction by looking at their financial performance rather than connections/ prestige. This is bad for consumers since the options are getting reduced but it's good for the industry as airlines will make money out of the market and the industry will get maturity.

But for UL to show some colors they should increase the transit passengers and premium traffic. To do so New terminal is much needed since passengers don't like to transit in a crap terminal. Unfortunately we wont't have that in the near future.



Also just a small thought,

"Oman Air intends to phase out its four Embraer 175 jets this year"



They have 4 E175 (Just 6 years old) with 11C 60Y. What if UL took those into it's fleet? If they do so Gan, Mahe, Kunming will be profitable. Even they have potential airport such as Kozhikode, Mangalore, Ahamabad etc. But yes operating 2 aircraft manufacturers may be a challenge. Any opinion?

Tourism Minister John, highlights need for budget airlines

Minister John Amaratunga speaking in Parliament today (May 11), commented on promoting budget airlines.

The minister said he would encourage budget airlines to operate like in Malaysia, Thailand and Singapore as they have heavily benefited from it. He said travelers are now looking at cheap rates for air travel.

Minister Amaratunga went on to say the country needs more domestic airports as there are people who don’t want to waste time on the road.

“I think we need one in the central hill part of the country if possible, and in the north and also in the southern part of the country, and the airport in Ratmalana should be expanded and brought under the Civil Aviation Authority, because there are many airlines from India who want to come in with 80 to 90 passengers who could easily land at Ratmalana without going to Katunayake and getting congested,” Minister Amaratunga added.



Source-newsfirst.lk

Air Asia Sri Lanka??

This will be another stupid idea. IMO having our own airline already hurt country's economy for long long time. This country DO NOT deserve a state airline. Partnership with a private firm (PPP) is the only true practical solution. And that airline (in this case we assume UL) should cater to the demanded markets only (Such as South Asia, Middle East, Asia Pacific, Western Europe maybe). Government should encourage foreign operators to come to Sri Lanka.

If Air Asia wants to launch flights let Air Asia India or Air Asia Thailand does that. There are plenty of countries where the airline of the country makes good profit and cater to the countries basic demand while allowing foreign carriers to cater the excessive demand (Mauritius, Ireland, Maldives).

Sri Lanka do not need another airline. UL is more than enough. Because there's no such O&D to/from Sri Lanka. We do have good demand to FRA, CDG but we failed to welcome Lufthansa and AF. BA also the same. Currently EK & QR filling that gap. That's completely okay I guess.

Country's current aviation position is really good (If a miracle happens to UL). It's better to have slow and steady growth in this industry rather than some faster failed progress (Eg: MRIA, Kingfisher Airline) Aggressive growth is good if you have someone to support it. But in regards to current economy of Sri Lanka. I prefer a slow and steady growth.

It's funny to see that the minister talking about another airport while our main airport itself a disaster. Domestic aviation is really welcome. But first of all country's first impression is the priority which is BIA. Also in future if we had a boom on domestic tourism government should consider converting air force bases to domestic airport rather than building new.

Much appreciate if the authorities do the proposals rather than calling meeting every time. Sick of this.

Yes it will be better if UL acquire 80 seater aircraft to serve destinations like Gan, Mangalore etc.. UL were having plans to order Bombardier C series to the fleet. Any idea what happened to the order? Maintaining the Bombardier aircraft wouldn't be so expensive for UL because Airbus have deal Bombardier