ABM, ABN, ABO were leased in 2011 for the 12 years lease period. I wonder why these aircraft were not returned to the lessors last year? did these leases were extended later on?​​

From the last update from Arranz, the aircraft still was in VP-CRQ rego​. I am concerned why it's still not been registered on aircraft as 4R-ALT.

Oh that's good then. BYT ABS been with the fleet for a long time. Still not painted

Great to see a scheduled finally out! There was a rumor that they were to resume services last month

Interior of ABM is not in good shape. USB ports are hanging from the seats and most of them are not working. Interior smells strange as well. I was able to travel in ABM during last May from AUH to CMB. It needs cabin overhaul

China Eastern has increased KMG-CMB flights from 2 weekly to 3 weekly, very weird since they plan on terminating the route? hopefully passenger traffics curls up again and they dont terminate the route and re-introduce KMG-CMB-MLE flights.

Guys, does anyone have any updates on the other a330s coming to UL? MSN 1261 and MSN 1037? will they be getting delivered by the end of september or at a later date?

Thanks.

Probably a medical emergency as far as I am aware. UL230D has landed at CMB after a delay of almost 3 hours

I see CX is going to increase CMB flights from 3 to 4 weekly from Jan25. Azamh - Do you know how CX is doing on HKG-CMB route? do you know when CX A350 going to come CMB?

J9 has increased CMB flights from 7 to 9 weekly from this month.

SU is planning to increase from 2 to 4 weekly end of Oct24.

MU flights between KMG-CMB are going to be Daily from end of Sep24. But i still see MU flights between KMG-CMB are not available from end Oct24.

I haven't go any latest update on upcoming 4 x A330s yet. Please help us with update? SHOCKWAVE Arranz MAW2000

I am too curious to find the load factor of MAA-JAF Alliance Air and Indigo flights.

I really wonder why UL hasn't started flights from CMB-JAF. There are plenty of Tamil community in Europe, Australia etc can book flights directly to JAF and transit via CMB. Why still has not been actioned?

Probably because UL does not have a small enough aircraft to operate to JAF, we just have to wait and see since hopefully JAF airport will be getting expanded soon with a longer runway and more facilities, which could mean that UL could deploy an A320. I'm not really sure but we just have to see.

I don't think Sri Lanka is developed enough for domestic air travel, don't get me wrong, The only reason that domestic flights don't really work in SL is because of the price and the undeveloped facilities, since flights can go up to 200USD almost and it just makes sense to take the train rather than fly to JAF. However, if prices reduce in the coming years, from 200 to 100 (round trip) then I believe it would be possible.

I think CX is not going to use A350 they may be go on with A333 also they might utilise the 777 due to cargo capacity to cmb, they have reduced there 747 frequencies after covid to cmb

Air China to operate daily flights from Chengdu to Colombo starting from October 27th, A320 and A320NEO (depending on days) will be used for this flight.

China Eastern has increased frequency into CMB from 3 weekly to 4 weekly and is to resume CMB-KMG-MLE flights (On Saturdays only) will increase to daily from the end of this month (as banu stated)

Jazeera Airways to increase frequency into CMB from 7 weekly to 9 weekly flights (J9 552 and J9 553) from the end of this month

Edelweiss to resume ZRH-CMB from October 31st (1 weekly) A340 will be deployed. (Outbound flight will have a stopover in MLE before continuing back to ZRH), Flights will continue until May 2025.

Aeroflot will deploy its 777-300ERs from SVO to CMB from October 3rd (according to the website) and will increase from 2 weekly to 4 weekly at the end of October. (As banu said)

Salam Air to reduce flights from 4 weekly to 3 weekly after OCT 3RD, A320 NEO and A321 NEO (depending on days/load factor) will be used for this flight.

Will update if I have more info, but thanks banu for the info

Guys, I heard that CX will be planning to deploy its A350s starting from October? can someone confirm this? Cathay seems to be delaying the deploying of their A350s to CMB for some reason. Maybe its due to lower passenger demand?

Thanks

Why stil no SV flights to Sri lanka?

Nov 2023

The Minister of Economy and Planning of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Faisal bin Alibrahim, has announced that the country’s national carrier Saudia, formally known as Saudi Arabian Airlines, would recommence flights to Sri Lanka very soon.



Dec 2023

“We also discussed (ways) to improve the tourism traffic between the two countries and further strengthen people-to-people contact. We also discussed the possibility of Saudia Airlines commencing direct flights to Colombo,” Sabry told Arab News.



Aug 2024

The list of countries includes the Saudi Arabia, UAE and Oman and 32 other nations. Notable countries on the list include the United States, the United Kingdom, India, China, Israel, New Zealand, Nepal, Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand, Japan, and Australia.

SV isnt interested to resume flights back to CMB because of the domination of other gulf carriers such as Emirates, Qatar and Etihad. Most people travelling to RUH stop by in DXB, DOH and AUH or fly direct with Sri Lankan, So SV doesn't currently have the interest to operate back to CMB, its a shame considering SV used to dominate M.E travel back in the days from CMB

KU also hasn't resumed flights to CMB, and I think J9 is substituting for that by increasing frequencies. Hopefully they will come back soon to SL.

WY too excited CMB from March, hopefully they return as well.