Announcement

**Serendib** · 22-09-2024, 09:20 AM

Originally posted by WizzWaveSien View Post

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)

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.

Saudi Arabian Airlines to resume flights to Sri Lanka

https://www.adaderana.lk/news.php?nid=95281

The Minister of Economy and Planning of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Faisal bin Alibrahim, has announced that the countrys 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.

Sri Lanka eyes Saudi investment to modernize tourism sector

https://www.arabnews.com/node/2416766/world

COLOMBO: Sri Lanka is looking for Saudi investment to modernize its tourism and other sectors, top officials in Colombo have said following an official visit of Saudi Economy and Planning Minister Faisal Al-Ibrahim. Al-Ibrahim was in the Sri Lankan capital on Monday, where he met President Ranil Wickremesinghe and Foreign Minister Ali Sabry to discuss ways to strengthen economic ties.

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.

Redirect Notice

https://www.google.com/amp/s/gulfnews.com/amp/world/asia/sri-lanka-announces-visa-free-access-to-saudi-arabia-uae-india-and-other-32-nations-from-october-1-1.1724413058238

**WizzWaveSien** · 22-09-2024, 01:14 PM

Originally posted by Serendib View Post

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.

Saudi Arabian Airlines to resume flights to Sri Lanka

https://www.adaderana.lk/news.php?nid=95281

The Minister of Economy and Planning of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Faisal bin Alibrahim, has announced that the countrys 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.

Sri Lanka eyes Saudi investment to modernize tourism sector

https://www.arabnews.com/node/2416766/world

COLOMBO: Sri Lanka is looking for Saudi investment to modernize its tourism and other sectors, top officials in Colombo have said following an official visit of Saudi Economy and Planning Minister Faisal Al-Ibrahim. Al-Ibrahim was in the Sri Lankan capital on Monday, where he met President Ranil Wickremesinghe and Foreign Minister Ali Sabry to discuss ways to strengthen economic ties.

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.

https://www.google.com/amp/s/gulfnew....1724413058238

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.

**4R-ALA** · 22-09-2024, 02:42 PM

4R-ABN and 4R-ALL are inactive, anyone knows why?

**Serendib** · 22-09-2024, 04:29 PM

Originally posted by 4R-ALA View Post

4R-ABN and 4R-ALL are inactive, anyone knows why?

When did they last fly?

**Azamh** · 24-09-2024, 12:44 PM

Any update with Government re structure Sri Lankan airlines

**WizzWaveSien** · 25-09-2024, 11:41 AM

Any updates on 4R-ALT? (HS-TER)? no activity yet, isnt she supposed to be here soon?

**Arranz** · 25-09-2024, 09:48 PM

Originally posted by WizzWaveSien View Post

Any updates on 4R-ALT? (HS-TER)? no activity yet, isnt she supposed to be here soon?

Hi guys! No big updates about ALT, but I've seen people of a refurbishment & interiors company working, and movement of seats in and out of the aircraft, dont know if only business class or more. So for sure there are working on something of the interiors.

The aircraft still with engine covers and in all-white livery.

**WizzWaveSien** · 26-09-2024, 10:15 AM

Originally posted by Arranz View Post

Hi guys! No big updates about ALT, but I've seen people of a refurbishment & interiors company working, and movement of seats in and out of the aircraft, dont know if only business class or more. So for sure there are working on something of the interiors.

The aircraft still with engine covers and in all-white livery.

Thank you!!! Please update if you have more information.

**WizzWaveSien** · 26-09-2024, 05:14 PM

Cathay Pacific to operate 4 weekly flights from 2nd of January 2025 to 1st of March 2025. Frequency will be increased from 4 weekly to 5 weekly starting from 2nd of March to 30th of March, Cathay will be sticking to the A330-300. No current plans as far I am aware to deploy A350s to Colombo. Will update If I have more info.

**banuthev** · 26-09-2024, 08:06 PM

Originally posted by WizzWaveSien View Post

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.

Thanks.

It seems MU is going to continue operating KMG-CMB flights. I see 2 weekly KMG-CMB and 3 weekly KMG-CMB-MLE have been planned for W24.

Originally posted by WizzWaveSien View Post

Cathay Pacific to operate 4 weekly flights from 2nd of January 2025 to 1st of March 2025. Frequency will be increased from 4 weekly to 5 weekly starting from 2nd of March to 30th of March, Cathay will be sticking to the A330-300. No current plans as far I am aware to deploy A350s to Colombo. Will update If I have more info.

Any chance CX restoring daily flights to CMB in S25 ? Remembering CX did daily B777 in the past.

**banuthev** · 26-09-2024, 08:17 PM

Originally posted by ULlove View Post

Typical Nationalised airline story. They will take their time to get things done while foreign airlines keep taking our market share away. I hope they dont send these aircraft on LH routes to NRT, MEL,SYD,LHR,CDG,FRA. the social media influencers will have a banger of a day further damaging UL reputation.

Ex. TG seats are fine for the time being on regional routes. I have done them a few times and it was good for the uptown 5 hrs flights.

Are we due for more A320??? remember the tender was for 5 A/C???

Is UL is planning to operate A332 to FRA in Feb25 ? Hopefully its not going to be operated by ALH/ALS.

FRA-A332-FEB25.jpg

**banuthev** · 26-09-2024, 08:39 PM

Originally posted by Serendib View Post

When did they last fly?

4R-ABN operated over 2 weeks ago as COK-CMB as UL166 on the 08-Sep-24
4R-ALL operated over 10 days ago as FRA-CMB as UL501 on the 15-Sep-24. UL501 was delayed that day. Any reason?

**banuthev** · 26-09-2024, 08:47 PM

Originally posted by Azamh View Post

Any update with Government re structure Sri Lankan airlines

Sorry no update from my side. Does any body know ?

*Aruna Rajapaksha appointed as Head of airport management
*Tourism ministry to continue under new president AKD
*Vijitha Herath sworn is an minister of civil aviation

What do you guys think about the above?

**banuthev** · 26-09-2024, 08:57 PM

Originally posted by WizzWaveSien View Post

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.

There are rumours Indigo is planning to fly JAF from BLR, TRZ and IXM in the next 6 months.

**WizzWaveSien** · 27-09-2024, 04:49 AM

Originally posted by banuthev View Post

There are rumours Indigo is planning to fly JAF from BLR, TRZ and IXM in the next 6 months.

Great news if true! JAF getting more traffic than HRI will always be funny to me, Hopefully RedWings, Uzbek, Bulgaria Air and SkyUP return to HRI soon. Someone please update with more info about these carriers return to SL.

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