Announcement

**n863gt** · 25-02-2025, 04:16 PM

Originally posted by Serendib View Post

SriLankan Airlines to increase its fleet to 51 aircraft by 2030: Deputy Minister. "The national carrier is looking towards obtaining six propeller aircraft for domestic and for short haul International routes," the Deputy Minister said.

on the way to see UL having ATRs?

**n863gt** · 25-02-2025, 04:23 PM

Originally posted by banuthev View Post

By reading the below statement from UL CEO, I feel we won't be able to see A350 or A339s in the fleet until end of the year 2030. Hence why UL may planned for A333/2s to be wetleased for 6/8 years as temp solution.

Like A333s orders back in 2013/2014, UL may do sale and lease back the aircraft that were ordered directly from Airbus.

Is it good idea UL renegotiating with the lessor for the lease agreement to be extended of the current 7 x A333s until 2030 to ease the pressure?

I think UL might need to keep the fleet of A332/A333 until both UL and CMB are ready to accept either the A339 or the A359 and have them delivered.
sale and lease-back would be a good option.
What would replace UL's A332 though?

**SHOCKWAVE** · 26-02-2025, 12:47 AM

There is a news on a five year plan to revive UL. All news articles are beating around the bush. Does anyone have the detailed roadmap. Please share with us. Thanks

**WizzWaveSien** · 26-02-2025, 01:51 AM

Originally posted by n863gt View Post

I think UL might need to keep the fleet of A332/A333 until both UL and CMB are ready to accept either the A339 or the A359 and have them delivered.
sale and lease-back would be a good option.
What would replace UL's A332 though?

UL will probably replace their A332s with the A339s or A338s (when they get financially stable), and UL will replace their current A333s with A359s or A339s, atleast, that's what I hope to see happen.
The A338 is a no go for UL, it has less capacity but has the same range as the A359s, however, if UL does decide to pick up the A338, it would be more easier to integrate it into the fleet if they have the A339, which means that UL will probably go for the A338 anyway. But there's a chance they might not do so and instead go with the A359.

**skyline** · 26-02-2025, 02:42 PM

Does anyone have an update on the additional A330s due to come for UL?

**MAW2000** · 27-02-2025, 02:18 PM

Originally posted by Serendib View Post

SriLankan Airlines to increase its fleet to 51 aircraft by 2030: Deputy Minister. "The national carrier is looking towards obtaining six propeller aircraft for domestic and for short haul International routes," the Deputy Minister said.

According to my opinion, not a good thing to operate Turbo Props within the Island for domestic flights which has currently no demand for that, but also not good to operate them for international flights within short-haul Indian sector since UL's business model is different, as we say, Legacy Star Class International Carrier.

**MAW2000** · 27-02-2025, 02:34 PM

Originally posted by WizzWaveSien View Post

UL will probably replace their A332s with the A339s or A338s (when they get financially stable), and UL will replace their current A333s with A359s or A339s, atleast, that's what I hope to see happen.
The A338 is a no go for UL, it has less capacity but has the same range as the A359s, however, if UL does decide to pick up the A338, it would be more easier to integrate it into the fleet if they have the A339, which means that UL will probably go for the A338 anyway. But there's a chance they might not do so and instead go with the A359.

Agree, but small addition,

Its better to go with some used A333s or A332s (at least 5 jets) and extending the lease period of existing A333s until 2029, 2030 for now and then negotiate with Airbus for fleet renewal, Purchasing and selling back to Lessors and leasing back for 12 years is a good option.

Better option is to go with A359s (at least 8-10 jets, with 1-2-1 business class with premium economy with 3-3-3 economy or only 2-4-2 economy like ANA 787s), which will make UL strong and access new destinations such as AKL, New Zealand, and USA (with the aim of targeting Indian market).

Best option for the current financial condition is going with A339s (8-10 jets) which is easy to induct, lower capital cost for maintenance, crew training. But better to not to go with A338s because of of thin Profit margin per flight, Less Pax, more range, same applies for B788, (Need to carry the entire aircraft gross weight with less pax, for a longer range which needs much fuel and ticket prices will be higher than competitors, if the ticket pricing is same as SG, MH, profit margin will be thin.)

Thanks

**skyline** · 28-02-2025, 01:51 AM

Gov't minister plots big fleet boost for SriLankan Airlines

© Tis Meyer / planepics.org. By Andrew Curran28Feb2025
Sri Lanka's deputy minister of finance and planning, Harshana Suriyapperuma, says state-owned SriLankan Airlines (UL, Colombo International) will embark on five-year plan this year with the goal, among others, of growing to 52 aircraft and doubling revenues from the current sub-USD1 billion mark to more than USD2 billion.

Speaking in Sri Lanka's parliament on February 25, Suriyapperuma said the airline's management were under instructions to make the carrier a self-sustaining entity. While the government will assist with legacy debt and interest payments, it will be less forthcoming about covering day-to-day operational shortfalls.

SriLankan Airlines is currently seeking six propeller aircraft, the minister said and, per the new plan, will increase its fleet from the current 22 aircraft to 52 by 2030. ch-aviation understands there is no firm pathway on achieving this number. However, the carrier is working on various options. The airline also has a "view on the (propeller) aircraft type," but it needs finalising.

Suriyapperuma was also critical of historical decisions to pay above-market lease rates and cited an example of SriLankan paying USD900,000 per month for three aircraft that have sat on the ground "for several years." It is unclear which specific aircraft he was referring to.

The ch-aviation fleets module shows that two A321-200Ns, 4R-AND (msn 7697) and 4R-ANE (msn 7891), have been grounded for around a year, but not several. ch-aviation is advised that no one aircraft has been on the ground continuously for three years. Instead, SriLankan Airlines had three narrowbody Airbus neos interchangeably on the ground for extended periods due to CFM International LEAP engine issues. That is now down to two aircraft. "It has not always been the same aircraft," ch-aviation was told, but the minister was "close enough."

The minister says he wants the five-year plan to chart SriLankan's pathway to growth, profitability, and self-sufficiency. He was critical of past borrowing decisions and said discussions were underway with stakeholders to restructure some USD-denominated debts.

Gov't minister plots big fleet boost for SriLankan Airlines - ch-aviation

Don't you think 51 aircraft too much for UL?
That means have to add around 30 odd aircraft. Is it possible to do with the present situation?

**n863gt** · 28-02-2025, 11:28 AM

Originally posted by MAW2000 View Post

Agree, but small addition,

Its better to go with some used A333s or A332s (at least 5 jets) and extending the lease period of existing A333s until 2029, 2030 for now and then negotiate with Airbus for fleet renewal, Purchasing and selling back to Lessors and leasing back for 12 years is a good option.

Better option is to go with A359s (at least 8-10 jets, with 1-2-1 business class with premium economy with 3-3-3 economy or only 2-4-2 economy like ANA 787s), which will make UL strong and access new destinations such as AKL, New Zealand, and USA (with the aim of targeting Indian market).

Best option for the current financial condition is going with A339s (8-10 jets) which is easy to induct, lower capital cost for maintenance, crew training. But better to not to go with A338s because of of thin Profit margin per flight, Less Pax, more range, same applies for B788, (Need to carry the entire aircraft gross weight with less pax, for a longer range which needs much fuel and ticket prices will be higher than competitors, if the ticket pricing is same as SG, MH, profit margin will be thin.)

Thanks

getting either an A339 or a A359 isnt going to be easy though. both have somewhat big backlogs.
UL could lease[short term] some to(at least) get an experience on the operations of those 2 aircraft.
correct me if I'm wrong though,

**A359** · 28-02-2025, 02:01 PM

Originally posted by n863gt View Post

getting either an A339 or a A359 isnt going to be easy though. both have somewhat big backlogs.
UL could lease[short term] some to(at least) get an experience on the operations of those 2 aircraft.
correct me if I'm wrong though,

Airbus still shows four A350-900s for UL in their order book. If UL has the resources to firm up the orders, Airbus may be able to find production slots for these four aircraft.

**banuthev** · 28-02-2025, 07:15 PM

Originally posted by SHOCKWAVE View Post

4r alt - 1060, alu - 1037 & alv - 1261 (tbn)

MSN 1261 is getting ready for UL in CHR and to be leased from Aercap. Spotter said it was impossible to take photo as no visibility of the aircraft as it was parked front of the hangar in Jan25. Any idea if it will be painted in SriLankan livery?

**banuthev** · 28-02-2025, 08:21 PM

Originally posted by MAW2000 View Post

Agree, but small addition,

Its better to go with some used A333s or A332s (at least 5 jets) and extending the lease period of existing A333s until 2029, 2030 for now and then negotiate with Airbus for fleet renewal, Purchasing and selling back to Lessors and leasing back for 12 years is a good option.

Better option is to go with A359s (at least 8-10 jets, with 1-2-1 business class with premium economy with 3-3-3 economy or only 2-4-2 economy like ANA 787s), which will make UL strong and access new destinations such as AKL, New Zealand, and USA (with the aim of targeting Indian market).

Best option for the current financial condition is going with A339s (8-10 jets) which is easy to induct, lower capital cost for maintenance, crew training. But better to not to go with A338s because of of thin Profit margin per flight, Less Pax, more range, same applies for B788, (Need to carry the entire aircraft gross weight with less pax, for a longer range which needs much fuel and ticket prices will be higher than competitors, if the ticket pricing is same as SG, MH, profit margin will be thin.)

Thanks

4R-XWA, B, C, & D were configured with 1-2-1 Business Class and 3-3-3 Economy class. Total Business class seats 28 and Total Economy class seats 303. Sichuan Airlines are still have these ex-UL birds in UL interior and config. Rest of Sichuan Airlines A350s have their own Sichuan interiors and configs. Any possibilities UL would've negotiated with Aercap and ALC delay taking these A350s (XWA, B, C, D) from 2030?

**banuthev** · 28-02-2025, 08:38 PM

Originally posted by skyline View Post

Don't you think 51 aircraft too much for UL?
That means have to add around 30 odd aircraft. Is it possible to do with the present situation?

I believe UL and CMB have to be developed and well managed to generate income and tourism for Sri Lanka. Since Sri Lanka is near India and the Maldives can make use of the Indian Transit travellers to transit via CMB to reach rest of the world.

UL better increase flights as below : -

*Double daily flights to LHR, SYD, MEL, NRT
*Single Daily flights to CDG, FRA, MXP, NBO, ICN, PEK, PVG, HKG, SEZ, MAU, AKL, PKT,
*Triple daily flights to Middle East and Far East.
*UL should have point to point direct flights to all over India.

UL better start domestic flights and develop domestic terminal at CMB to give quick transit for the JAF travellers from the UK, Australia, Canada. Sri Lanka also should start frequent slow trains from CMB to Galle, Kandy to encourage people to access the airport to get domestic flights.

I believe UL need 51 aircraft.

Guys, Please share your thoughts

**n863gt** · 01-03-2025, 01:16 PM

4R-ALH is under maintenance.(If i'm not wrong)
what is the current status of AND?

**n863gt** · 01-03-2025, 01:16 PM

Originally posted by banuthev View Post

4R-XWA, B, C, & D were configured with 1-2-1 Business Class and 3-3-3 Economy class. Total Business class seats 28 and Total Economy class seats 303. Sichuan Airlines are still have these ex-UL birds in UL interior and config. Rest of Sichuan Airlines A350s have their own Sichuan interiors and configs. Any possibilities UL would've negotiated with Aercap and ALC delay taking these A350s (XWA, B, C, D) from 2030?

buy-back from 3U? doubt whether they would say yes though.

Announcement

Sri Lanka Aviation

Comment

Comment

Comment

Comment

Comment

Comment

Comment

Comment

Comment

Comment

Comment

Comment

Comment

Comment

Comment