Thanks WizzWaveSien! You're absolutely right ! Is JAF going to expand runway to accomodate A320 type aircraft? any update?

Sorry! I really dont have any info regarding JAF at the moment. But I will get back to you when more info is released. As of now I believe the runway will be expanded with plans underway but i'm not really sure.

Thanks.

​Red Wings Airlines intends to operate flights to HRI this winter.

Thank you for the info, can't wait to see Redwings back at SL. 777-200s will be deployed as far as i am aware. Please confirm? Will Rossiya be returning as well or will they be taking over ops from Aeroflot when necessary?

According to planespotters.net, Redwings only have B772s for Long haul ops. So if Redwings comeback then it has to be onboard those Y412 seater B772s, if i am not mistaken.

I see SU is upgrading CMB from 2 weekly A333 to 4 weekly with it's own metal B777-300ER between SVO-CMB in W24. Possibly 402 seater.

Any chance of seeing Azur Air, Air Astana, LOT back and any new airlines coming to SL in coming months? So far we know only about the resumption of SpiceJet, Edelweiss & Jetstar Singapore.

SKYBUCK729 channa Aaqib WizzWaveSien Azamh and rest of the team - VS going to compete with BA on LHR-MLE route from the end of Oct24 with Daily B789s. Any possibility BA extending LHR-MLE flight to CMB? I see UL is increasing LHR from 7 to 9 weekly for the increased demand during winter. Last time BA did operate CMB from LGW but terminated due to commercial reasons, wonder why?. Why BA shouldn't try CMB from LHR ? I really also want to see KL, AF, DE, OS, and more european carriers back in SL. Back in the days German birds were flying a lot in SL. We saw DE and LT were flying almost every day here in CMB covering from almost all German cities. Why that's not happening anymore.

4R-SRD AirCeylon - Any charter airlines from Italy to SL in Winter 2024/2025?

4R-SRD - Do you know any update on 4R-ALU (msn 1037) currently parked in Naples airport?

From Italy only possible hope was Neos Air but no plans so far. ITA Airways is launching new routes like DXB, RUH, DSS, ACC, MLE and they are keep expanding. Anyway next year is very important for aviation industry with launch of Riyadh Air and New aircraft arrivals to major airlines.

Thanks 4R-SRD . Please update us on our forum if you get any update on direct schedule/charter flights between Italy and SL.

Is Riyadh Air keen to launch flights between RUH and CMB? if so will this happen in 2025. wonder which aircraft will be used.

Unfortunately I have no information about UK or European routes at all, ran through every airline website, checking dates and all and still there are no flights to CMB, However Im pretty sure TUI will be scheduling a charter service from BHX, MAN and LGW this winter but Im very uncertain about it. VS and BA will most likely be sticking to MLE and not fly to CMB unfortunately, seems like it, but hopefully that will change soon.

Heard a rumor of LOT resuming flights to CMB from WAW and PRG this winter from a fellow agveek in Warsaw, but im not really sure and he told me that plans were still not finalized yet. Will get back to you with more info.

there are high chances ITA can fly to Cmb

Sri lanka is preparing for a boost in aviation & tourism! Good luck!

NPP Govt. abandons plan to privatize SriLankan Airlines

Policy decision on SriLankan Airlines restructure to be taken after elections

Tuesday October 1, 2024 6:31 pm

ECONOMYNEXT – No decision on the restructure of state-run SriLankan Airlines will be taken until after elections bring a new government to office, Minister Vijitha Herath said.

“In this interim period we will not go for any policy related decisions,” Minister Herath told reporters at weekly post-cabinet press briefing.

“In a future government, which we will build soon, we will go for some actions. At the moment, in this short period we will not go for policy decisions.”

Sri Lanka sought a buyer for a stake sale of SriLankan Airlines but nothing was finalized, the current sale process was dropped amid weak interest.

Sri Lanka abandons sale process of SriLankan Airlines

However SriLankan has debt, including a government guaranteed bond, that has to be resolved. (Colombo/Oct01/2024)
​

Hey everyone!!
I’ve created a crash course covering airlines expanding their services to SL, including aircraft deployment on routes to CMB and more.

2024

Indigo to deploy A321NEO from BLR TO CMB, replacing A320NEO, flights will be daily from OCT 1st (Yesterday)
Indigo to begin 3rd daily service from MAA TO CMB, flights will be operated using A320 and A320NEO
Indigo to increase flights from BOM to CMB from 3 weekly to 6 weekly, end of OCT 24
Spicejet to resume MAA-CMB flights from OCT 27th, Daily 737

Air China to operate daily flights from TFU to CMB starting from October 27th, A320 and A320NEO (depending on days) will be deployed on this route
​China Eastern to increase CMB-MLE from 2 weekly to 3 weekly.
China Eastern to continue KMG-CMB flights after increasing it from 2 weekly to daily, 737 will be deployed.

Aeroflot to deploy 777-300ERs from OCT 3rd on SVO-CMB, will increase to 4 weekly from the end of OCT 24
Redwings to begin 777-200 flights from MRV (NOV 2 onwards twice weekly) to HRI
Redwings to also begin 777-200 flights from KUF (OCT 29 onwards, flights will be bi-weekly) to HRI
Redwings to begin flights from TJM (No schedule yet, twice weekly) to HRI
(Thanks Serendib and Banu for the info)

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

Jetstar Asia to resume SIN-CMB flights from NOV 21st. A320 will be deployed.(five weekly)

2025

Emirates to begin 5th daily service from DXB, (January 2nd onwards), A350 will be deployed

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. A330 will be deployed.


Please correct me if I missed anything. Thanks

Thanks for the update!

Enter Air is going to operate charter flights between Poland and SL as below. Refueling in RAK.

WAW-CMB - Once a weekly commencing 29-Oct. Additional charter from 31-Oct on the around bi-weekly basis on the selected dates. Please tell me if you want the dates for additional chater. I can find and update here.

KTW-CMB - Charter flights on the 10-Nov, 21-Nov and 01-Dec
POZ-CMB - Charter flights from 22-Dec, 2-Jan, 12,-Jan, 23-Jan, 02-Feb, 13-Feb, 23-Feb, 06-Mar, 16-Mar