It's possible, the first flight arrived with around 78 passengers as far as I am aware, not really great or ideal considering the max passengers for an A320NEO is 170 passengers, But I think the remaining passengers disembarked to the Maldives, I believe SL should market itself as a Bali/Phuket alternative to get more tourists and I think the free visa scheme being introduced is great and all, Sadly the VFS global controversy kind of slowed tourism. Hopefully tourism picks up during the winter months.


Air Seychelles has also reduced flights from SEZ TO CMB from twice weekly to once weekly and China Eastern has reduced KMG-CMB flights from daily to one weekly, they have also stopped serving the Maldives as well on their KMG-CMB-MLE route. Such a shame honestly!

IndiGo to operate another 3rd additional daily flight from Chennai using the A320neo aircraft from OCT 15th 2024
6E 1173 - MAA TO CMB (8:15 PM TO 9:35 PM)
6E 1174 - CMB TO MAA (10:35 PM TO 11:55 PM)

Can someone please confirm if IndiGo will operate daily flights from Chennai using the A321neo until the end of October? ( I have been seeing their a321 neos at CMB recently on their 6E 1171 flights from MAA TO CMB)
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Actually this airframe was in play about 12-18 months ago. See how long the deal took with UL? So I can imagine how long it would take if they were to take the ex. HK 330s, plus if I'm not mistaken, they also look into dealing for low rates (or something of the sort). There's more to it to add, but cannot be shared I'm afraid.

Thanks Haleef! Any update on leasing replacement aircraft for ABL & MRE? Any idea about msn of upcoming A330s except we already know MSN1060 going to join the fleet mid-sep24.

4r alt - 1060, alu - 1037 & alv - 1261 (tbn)
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4r alt - 1060, alu - 1037 & alv - 1261 (tbn)
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Landing gear issue. Will be back to service very soon.

4r alt - 1060, alu - 1037 & alv - 1261 (tbn)
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As an reply to all comments on Fits air, (this can be toooo long to read)

I would like to say, Airlines are dealing with Pax and Cargo, So there should be a reason to fly to a certain destination, our topic is CMB, SL.
If there are no reasons to fly to CMB, pax and cargo demand is decreasing, (simple logic)
That is why many airlines stopped flying to CMB. This is affecting Home based airlines also, our dearest UL and 8D.
Reasons for major issues with UL,
There is an operating profit but losses due to financial costs.
No growth without Fleet modernization or adding even used aircrafts but with a better consistent cabin interiors. (4R-ALT is coming as far as i know, with few more A330s)
No support from Government and Sri Lankan nationals .
Lack of Airport facilities at BIA (typical issue connected with Economic issues.)

8D is currently having many many issues.
As usual finance sucks.
Technical issues are rising due to the age of aircrafts, 4R-EXR is coming back to here after wet -lease ops for G9,
They are reducing CMB-MAA-CMB flights due to lower demand, Like for CMB-MLE-CMB, cannot say the new frequencies.(meanwhile 6E is increasing)
Still DAC route is struggling, but there is a small increment in Pax figures compared to its inception.
CMB-DXB-CMB is performing well, letting 8D to increase frequencies, (can be up to double daily)
Cannot start JED flights with 5 hour airplanes.
No plans for more airplanes, since market prices and lease costs are high due to global shortage. EXR will support if 8D is planning new routes as they said.
Fuel costs are high, and aircrafts are not as fuel efficient as the A32Ns and A320WLs.

On both UL and 8D, commercial teams are lagging behind and even they don’t know about operations.

Will MSN 1060 be joining UL during this or next week? this week and next week too falls during the middle of September.

MSN 1060 is not active since 3-Sep after completing the 4hr test flight. Any idea if the UL pilots did the test flight for ALT on the 3-Sep? I heard delivery is soon but I am still unaware of the delivery date. ALT likely to be delivered in white, but if UL wants ALT to be delivered with UL-livery, then Tarmac Aerosave need to send the aircraft to IASC in Ireland for paintwork. Does anyone know if ALT going to be delivered in UL interiors and seat configs?

I wonder why ABT was delivered in white. Any chances ALT also delivered in white and both ABT and ALT gets oneworld livery in CMB. Please confirm?

8D lists RUH, SIN & KUL as their upcoming routes. What's your thought on this? But 8D needs suitable aircraft to fly nonstop to RUH otherwise they need stopover may be in MCT.