Announcement

**banuthev** · 13-10-2024, 08:57 AM

Originally posted by Serendib View Post

Is that true?

UL looking for Boeing jets as part of its fleet diversification strategy.
Expansion plans include issuing a Request for Proposals (RFP) for 42 aircraft leases, set to take place in late 2024
Plans to increase its fleet size from 24 to 35 aircraft over the next three years

Thanks for the update ! Any chance UL getting B777-300ER to serve LHR & MEL ?

Sri Lanka needs to invest more on Travel & Tourism ! Nice to hear positive news about Sri Lanka's Economy recently.

Sri Lanka’s economy has stabilized, with growth expected to reach 4.4 percent in 2024, surpassing earlier forecasts. This positive outlook follows four consecutive quarters of growth driven by the industrial and tourism sectors and supported by critical structural and policy reforms, says the World Bank.

https://orissadiary.com/sri-lankas-e...ct-investment/

Veteran hotelier, Chairman, Theme Resorts and Spa, Chandra Wickremesinghe said that it would be a good idea for the new management of Sri Lanka Tourism to have a joint destination marketing promotion with SriLankan Airlines rather than both working on their own.

“This would be more productive for both parties.”

He said in many countries this joint effect is very successfully launched and sighted Thai Airways for Thailand, Air France for France and Emirate for UAE.

Wickremesinghe also said that while SriLankan should try to launch more flights or increase capacity to European destinations the country must also try to woo airlines like British Airways, KLM and Lufthansa to fly direct to Colombo.

Just a moment...

https://www.sundayobserver.lk/2024/10/13/business/34782/conduct-joint-destination-marketing-campaigns-with-srilankan-says-veteran-hotelier/

**WizzWaveSien** · 13-10-2024, 12:48 PM

Originally posted by banuthev View Post

Thanks, Can you please share the flight number of the Turkish Cargo flights to CMB? I see Arkia also cancelled flying to CMB due to ongoing tensions in Middle East.

Terra Avia Cargo is flying HKG-CMB-JOH-HKG route twice a week. Every Wed & Sun. B74F.

Since 05-Oct, BBN Airlines is flying regular cargo flights between CMB & MLE onboard B73F. Does anyone have information about this?

Pictures of BBN Cargo are available on our "Plane Spotting thread"

Do you know any regular cargo flights to CMB other than Turkish Cargo, BBN Cargo, Terra Avia Cargo?

Hey banu, Here is the flight, its TK6051, on some scheduled days it operates but on some days it doesn't. No idea about any other cargo flights i'm afraid, but will update if i have info.

**WizzWaveSien** · 13-10-2024, 12:56 PM

Originally posted by banuthev View Post

Thanks for the update ! Any chance UL getting B777-300ER to serve LHR & MEL ?

Sri Lanka needs to invest more on Travel & Tourism ! Nice to hear positive news about Sri Lanka's Economy recently.

Wasn't UL interested in 777 operations back in 2011 or in 2012 to replace their aging A340s? UL could have taken on a 777 if they still maintained the partnership with Emirates according to some sources. Deploying a 77W to serve LHR and MEL is possible if this plan comes to fruition, We just have to wait and see with the current government how things go, but however, wouldn't they stick to like the 787-9 or 787-8 or something? It would make sense because it is kind of a replacement and a substitute of A333s and A332s that UL has.

This is all wishful thinking, if UL decided to pick up an 77W and 787s down the road, it would be great! even if it's just for awhile. Would love to see 77W and the 787 with the Sri Lankan Livery.

**MAW2000** · 13-10-2024, 04:33 PM

Originally posted by WizzWaveSien View Post

Great news! thank you for the update!! Any idea of the frequency?

Will keep you all posted, after the finalized. Still those routes are pending due to slot availability.

I hope if UL stops flying to small indian cities, like IXM TRV TRZ, VTZ, and focus on long haul routes like LHR FRA CDG, NRT, AMS, MXP Then 8D can takeover these routes.

However As per the Winter schedule DAC frequency is increased, from 2 weekly to 3 weekly flights. Time was changed and flight number was changed from 8D911/2 to 8D931/2.
No any frequency changes in CMB DXB CMB.

**A359** · 14-10-2024, 04:33 AM

Originally posted by MAW2000 View Post

Will keep you all posted, after the finalized. Still those routes are pending due to slot availability.

I hope if UL stops flying to small indian cities, like IXM TRV TRZ, VTZ, and focus on long haul routes like LHR FRA CDG, NRT, AMS, MXP Then 8D can takeover these routes.

However As per the Winter schedule DAC frequency is increased, from 2 weekly to 3 weekly flights. Time was changed and flight number was changed from 8D911/2 to 8D931/2.
No any frequency changes in CMB DXB CMB.

A cornerstone of UL's business plan is to connect secondary Indian cities to it's mid and long-haul destinations. Ideally UL needs to increase its frequency to its Indian destinations to double-daily so that passengers can connect through Colombo without long transfer times on both their inbound and outbound journey.

**banuthev** · 14-10-2024, 06:56 PM

Originally posted by MAW2000 View Post

Will keep you all posted, after the finalized. Still those routes are pending due to slot availability.

I hope if UL stops flying to small indian cities, like IXM TRV TRZ, VTZ, and focus on long haul routes like LHR FRA CDG, NRT, AMS, MXP Then 8D can takeover these routes.

However As per the Winter schedule DAC frequency is increased, from 2 weekly to 3 weekly flights. Time was changed and flight number was changed from 8D911/2 to 8D931/2.
No any frequency changes in CMB DXB CMB.

UL operated VTZ only from 2017 to 2019. If 8D have issues finding slots externally, why can't they lease the slots from SL-Gov as MJ operated 4 weekly to SHJ and UL operated double daily to TRV and almost daily to CCJ in the past. UL doesn't currently fly to SHJ and CCJ and hardly using the full slots at TRV. May be UL can do 1 daily and 8D can do 1 daily to TRV. Also Better 8D & UL enter with codeshare agreement too.

It is important 8D need to depart CMB between 7-9am & 12-14pm for CCJ & TRV flights and 18-19 for SHJ flights to give better connections for the pax.

Any idea why 4R-EXS is not flying recently?

Edited : Added extra content

**Serendib** · 14-10-2024, 07:04 PM

SriLankan Airlines Airbus pilots clash midair

Pilots of a SriLankan Airlines flight from Sydney to Colombo were involved in a tense verbal altercation, with one of them being locked out of the cockpit of an Airbus A330, aviation sources said.

SriLankan Airlines Airbus pilots clash midair | EconomyNext

https://economynext.com/srilankan-airlines-airbus-pilots-clash-midair-183533/

Pilots of a SriLankan Airlines flight from Sydney to Colombo were involved in a tense verbal altercation, with one of them being locked out of the cockpit of an Airbus A330, aviation sources said.

**banuthev** · 14-10-2024, 07:32 PM

Originally posted by Haleef View Post

Delivery should be on 15th Oct. 2024, tentatively.

Any update on delivery of 4R-ALT ? I heard it's still parked in the same location in TEV. Can anyone confirm ? I wonder the aircraft delivery also delayed until general election over?

Restructuring of all state enterprises on hold till election is over on Nov 14. The official said the national carrier would not be sold off , but the new model of development would be taken after consultation with the new management appointed by the government recently .

Just a moment...

https://www.dailymirror.lk/top-story/Restructuring-of-all-state-enterprises-on-hold-till-election-is-over/155-293693

**banuthev** · 14-10-2024, 07:34 PM

Originally posted by A359 View Post

A cornerstone of UL's business plan is to connect secondary Indian cities to it's mid and long-haul destinations. Ideally UL needs to increase its frequency to its Indian destinations to double-daily so that passengers can connect through Colombo without long transfer times on both their inbound and outbound journey.

Please find the pre-covid flight sked for UL : https://lankaaviator.com/flightinfo/...an-nov2018.pdf . UL better to restore frequencies to India, Far East & Middle East soon.

There are news international airlines are leaving FRA due to high airport fees. Not sure if it's impacting UL, UL have plans to increase FRA to 4 weekly next year.

Germany: Rising costs and declining competitiveness threaten air traffic. Strong withdrawal of international airlines. : https://aviation.direct/en/Germany-r...en-air-traffic

**WizzWaveSien** · 15-10-2024, 05:12 AM

Originally posted by banuthev View Post

Please find the pre-covid flight sked for UL : https://lankaaviator.com/flightinfo/...an-nov2018.pdf . UL better to restore frequencies to India, Far East & Middle East soon.

There are news international airlines are leaving FRA due to high airport fees. Not sure if it's impacting UL, UL have plans to increase FRA to 4 weekly next year.

I don't believe it is impacting UL yet, since UL is going to be switching from CMB-CDG-FRA tri-angular routing to CMB-CDG and CMB-FRA next year, I believe these routes will be deployed using A332s? Please correct me If i am wrong.

Also, any update on UL's full fleet getting activated by the end of this year? Would love to see the remaining A32Ns and A32Qs back in operation.

**MAW2000** · 15-10-2024, 10:56 AM

Originally posted by banuthev View Post

UL operated VTZ only from 2017 to 2019. If 8D have issues finding slots externally, why can't they lease the slots from SL-Gov as MJ operated 4 weekly to SHJ and UL operated double daily to TRV and almost daily to CCJ in the past. UL doesn't currently fly to SHJ and CCJ and hardly using the full slots at TRV. May be UL can do 1 daily and 8D can do 1 daily to TRV. Also Better 8D & UL enter with codeshare agreement too.

It is important 8D need to depart CMB between 7-9am & 12-14pm for CCJ & TRV flights and 18-19 for SHJ flights to give better connections for the pax.

Any idea why 4R-EXS is not flying recently?

Edited : Added extra content

Regarding 4R-EXS, some repairs are ongoing.

Please note, TRV SHJ CCJ are pending due to slot confirmation.
Additionally DOH is also the newest one.
Effective from Dec 1st.

**A359** · 15-10-2024, 02:42 PM

Originally posted by Serendib View Post

SriLankan Airlines Airbus pilots clash midair

Pilots of a SriLankan Airlines flight from Sydney to Colombo were involved in a tense verbal altercation, with one of them being locked out of the cockpit of an Airbus A330, aviation sources said.

SriLankan Airlines Airbus pilots clash midair | EconomyNext

https://economynext.com/srilankan-airlines-airbus-pilots-clash-midair-183533/

Pilots of a SriLankan Airlines flight from Sydney to Colombo were involved in a tense verbal altercation, with one of them being locked out of the cockpit of an Airbus A330, aviation sources said.

Given that this is a 10-hour flight, wouldn't there be a third pilot on-board as well?

**banuthev** · 16-10-2024, 07:45 AM

Originally posted by Haleef View Post

Delivery should be on 15th Oct. 2024, tentatively.

Originally posted by SHOCKWAVE View Post

ABN - undergoing a maintenance check.
ALL - undergoing C check.
ALT - expect her arrival mid Oct .

4R-ALT is active on FR24. I think the engines are turned-on for the 1st or 2nd time after re-registration to 4R-ALT.

Can follow ALT's movements from this link : https://www.flightradar24.com/3790ad89

4R-ALT.jpg

**nipuna787** · 16-10-2024, 09:33 AM

Originally posted by banuthev View Post

4R-ALT is active on FR24. I think the engines are turned-on for the 1st or 2nd time after re-registration to 4R-ALT.

Can follow ALT's movements from this link : https://www.flightradar24.com/3790ad89

That's a big car park for planes

New Project.jpg

**WizzWaveSien** · 16-10-2024, 09:42 AM

Originally posted by nipuna787 View Post

That's a big car park for planes

Wow! great news! is she sporting UL's livery or is she still in complete white? She's still in the same spot as far as I am aware.

Announcement

Sri Lanka Aviation

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