If he could develop an engine with enough trust to power an A320/737, and achieve a 20% fuel burn reduction, let alone 50% - I will hire him right away. I or anyone else who can start investing in his engine can become a multi millionaire very easily. :-)

I don't have that much $ but even if it is 7% SFC gain - people will die for it .. :D :D

Hey guys, so I know that there are about 7 aircraft joining the UL by next year, but how many aircraft are they replacing?? And after replacements, how many A320s and total planes should they have??

SriLankan Airlines wins award for fuel saving software

Oct 20, 2010 (LBO) - SriLankan Airlines has won a merit award at the island's national software awards for its fuel management information system that enabled it to cut fuel costs and aircraft emissions, a statement said.

The National Best Quality Software Awards 2010 (NBQSA) honours innovations in information technology and are presented annually by the Sri Lanka section of the British Computer Society, the Chartered Institute for IT.
The airline's award under the ‘In-House Software Development’ category was for its ‘Fuel Management Information System’ which was developed to support the airline’s efforts to reduce fuel costs and aircraft emissions.

“The system has been an invaluable asset to our work in reducing fuel usage which is the airline’s major cost, plus controlling aircraft emissions," SriLankan’s Manager Aviation Fuel Captain Anushad Liyanagoda said.

"We had stringent requirements for the aggressive fuel savings that we were targeting. So we did a complete study benchmarking the most sophisticated systems in the world, and held discussions with the finest IT and aviation vendors.

"But we found that our own SriLankan staff could do the job and also achieve a huge saving for the company.”

The requirement for a fuel management information system was keenly felt during the years when the cost of fuel was at an all-time high, and the entire air transport industry was scrambling to reduce fuel costs which were driving many airlines bankrupt, it said.

"SriLankan saved more than half a million dollars by carrying out the project in-house, and designing a system of such a high standard that it could even be marketed to other airlines."

When the airline commenced its 'Planet Friendly Flights' programme last year, the system was enhanced to deal more comprehensively with aircraft emissions.

This became a key factor with European Union environmental regulators who made such a system mandatory to monitor carbon emissions and threatened the industry with heavy financial penalties for non-compliance, the airline said.

"This also allowed the airline to monitor the performance of each aircraft in the fleet and even each aircraft engine in order to further optimize fuel usage."

http://www.lankabusinessonline.com/fullstory.php?nid=2039989132

I don't have that much $ but even if it is 7% SFC gain - people will die for it .. :D :D

Probably this is a spin off from his earlier invention of "Magnetic centrifugal propulsion" system.... :lol: Some entertaining reads about his earlier inventions -> http://keelynet.com/indexmar307.htm (search for Airplane and Spacecraft Navigation - the Centrifugal Thrust Propeller) and http://www.sundayobserver.lk/2008/02/17/imp11.asp

4R-MRC reportedly painting completed and awaiting delivery now. Wonder why they have pulled back start of ops. Of course, they can always take the 320 out for maintenance and replace by the 321 till then.

4R-MRC reportedly painting completed and awaiting delivery now. Wonder why they have pulled back start of ops. Of course, they can always take the 320 out for maintenance and replace by the 321 till then.

Yes that could be a factor in the delay. Maybe some overdue maintenance on MRB?

@Ceylon: I read your post in the Bangladesh forum where you say that Mihin is getting an additional A320 soon. Is that true? And if so what destinations will it fly to? Im presuming that Ahmedabad would be one of them.

@lordvader The 321 is sufficient to cover AMD.

@lordvader The 321 is sufficient to cover AMD.

321 can cover upto 3,400 kilometer unreefuelled .. AMD is well within it's range ... :cheers:

321 can cover upto 3,400 kilometer unreefuelled .. AMD is well within it's range ... :cheers:

I meant utilization wise. 321 has sufficient operational freedom

Yes that could be a factor in the delay. Maybe some overdue maintenance on MRB?

@Ceylon: I read your post in the Bangladesh forum where you say that Mihin is getting an additional A320 soon. Is that true? And if so what destinations will it fly to? Im presuming that Ahmedabad would be one of them.

It is based on news artical @ sunday observer.

Btw Bentota and Koggala are available for booking by Air Taxi on the UL website.. and they're bloody expensive! CMB to Bentota in Feb '11 is about 39200 rupees!!!

That is way too costly ! Hoping it's a system glitch and they'll change rates. You can fly to MLE on a jet with IFE for cheaper.

is the price by a fixed wing or rotary ? If it is the latter, well, ...

Btw Bentota and Koggala are available for booking by Air Taxi on the UL website.. and they're bloody expensive! CMB to Bentota in Feb '11 is about 39200 rupees!!!


SriLankan’s Air Taxis to Fly Scenic Routes
October 23, 2010, 5:24 pm

A new and unique way to capture the natural beauty of Sri Lanka in just half an hour will soon be on offer when SriLankan Airlines, introduces its latest service, the Air Taxi priced at Rs. 5,000 per passenger (from Colombo and Rs. 7,000 from Koggala, the airline announced.

"You don’t always have to be a visitor disembarking at the BIA and taking an air transfer to a pre-scheduled destination. You can simply get on board the Sri Lankan Airlines’ Air Taxis and g-l-i-d-e over Paradise Isle. The scenic routes take off from a water base either in Negombo Lagoon, the Kelani river, Koggala or Bentota. Within half an hour you will be mesmerized by some of the most breathtakingly scenic views of Sri Lanka’s multi-faceted variety and panoramic diversity at just 1500 feet to 3000 feet above sea level,’’ a news release on the launch of the new activity said.

SriLankan Airlines’ float planes will operate from several water bases around the country and have scheduled flights to all these destinations for visitors to the country from BIA. Destinations currently on the cards are the Kelani river, Negombo lagoon, the Tissamaharama tank, Bentota, Kandy, Ampara, Nuwara Eliya, Koggala, Dickwella, and Dambulla.

The scenic route is expected to be a popular half an hour ride for families with children, an ideal opportunity to take a ride in an airplane and view the country’s scenic sights from the clouds and for visitors to the country who wish to catch an aerial view of Sri Lanka.

"A typical scenic route flight, taking off from the Negombo lagoon, will fly over the lush, verdant paddy fields and winding rivers of its western plains and cruise back to base, skimming over the western beaches of Wattala and Negombo,’’ the release said.

"A scenic flight taking off from Bentota or Koggala, will also cruise over its western plains and return to base over the famed southern beaches of Sri Lanka.

"If you choose to take off from the Kelaniya river with a majestic view of the Kelani Temple with its brilliant white dagoba, you will fly over the city of Colombo and then fly over the western beaches of Wattala and Negombo, back to Kelani river.’’

Head of Worldwide Sales Sri Lankan Airlines, Mr. Mohamed Fazeel said, "We are confident that these scenic routes will rejuvenate domestic tourism. The plus is that it takes only half an hour to take a scenic route flight. We are primarily offering two kinds of flights. One which transports visitors from the BIA to destinations of their choice while the other is the 30 minutes scenic flights which both reveal and showcase the beauty of the country".

Scenic flights from Colombo will be priced at Rs 5,000/- per person all inclusive and flights out of Bentota and Koggala at Rs. 7,000/-. Flights can be extended for forty five minutes to one hour at a higher cost to fly over the central hills of Sri Lanka.

SriLankan Airlines will initially operate two Twin Otter aircraft, each with a capacity of up to 15 passengers.

"The scenic flights are available every weekend from Colombo and throughout the week from Bentota while special on-call scenic flights can be arranged for groups,’’ the release said.

"Sri Lanka is unfolding itself as it has never done before. Take to the skies and be part of it!’’

http://www.island.lk/index.php?page_cat=article-details&page=article-details&code_title=9640

ICAO has approved several air routes and destinations for airlines to touch down at the Hambantota Airport (HIA) that is scheduled to be open by 2012 end. Full news... (http://www.sundayobserver.lk/2010/10/24/new11.asp)

I posted the picture of Mihin Lanka's new A321 in the "Sri Lanka Airports & Aviation Pictures" thread. Please check ... (http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?t=837138&page=34)

Any news if LankanCargo has got the 4R registration ? Have they started operating ?

"The AASL also hopes to create a terminal and a control tower". First time I heard they are optional, so the authority can simply consider building them.

ICAO approved the routes a long time ago. But there is nothing like approving destinations. That is solely up to the respective governments to deal with. The author seems to have misunderstood waypoints.

SriLankan’s Air Taxis to Fly Scenic Routes
October 23, 2010, 5:24 pm

A new and unique way to capture the natural beauty of Sri Lanka in just half an hour will soon be on offer when SriLankan Airlines, introduces its latest service, the Air Taxi priced at Rs. 5,000 per passenger (from Colombo and Rs. 7,000 from Koggala, the airline announced.

"You don’t always have to be a visitor disembarking at the BIA and taking an air transfer to a pre-scheduled destination. You can simply get on board the Sri Lankan Airlines’ Air Taxis and g-l-i-d-e over Paradise Isle. The scenic routes take off from a water base either in Negombo Lagoon, the Kelani river, Koggala or Bentota. Within half an hour you will be mesmerized by some of the most breathtakingly scenic views of Sri Lanka’s multi-faceted variety and panoramic diversity at just 1500 feet to 3000 feet above sea level,’’ a news release on the launch of the new activity said.

SriLankan Airlines’ float planes will operate from several water bases around the country and have scheduled flights to all these destinations for visitors to the country from BIA. Destinations currently on the cards are the Kelani river, Negombo lagoon, the Tissamaharama tank, Bentota, Kandy, Ampara, Nuwara Eliya, Koggala, Dickwella, and Dambulla.

The scenic route is expected to be a popular half an hour ride for families with children, an ideal opportunity to take a ride in an airplane and view the country’s scenic sights from the clouds and for visitors to the country who wish to catch an aerial view of Sri Lanka.

"A typical scenic route flight, taking off from the Negombo lagoon, will fly over the lush, verdant paddy fields and winding rivers of its western plains and cruise back to base, skimming over the western beaches of Wattala and Negombo,’’ the release said.

"A scenic flight taking off from Bentota or Koggala, will also cruise over its western plains and return to base over the famed southern beaches of Sri Lanka.

"If you choose to take off from the Kelaniya river with a majestic view of the Kelani Temple with its brilliant white dagoba, you will fly over the city of Colombo and then fly over the western beaches of Wattala and Negombo, back to Kelani river.’’

Head of Worldwide Sales Sri Lankan Airlines, Mr. Mohamed Fazeel said, "We are confident that these scenic routes will rejuvenate domestic tourism. The plus is that it takes only half an hour to take a scenic route flight. We are primarily offering two kinds of flights. One which transports visitors from the BIA to destinations of their choice while the other is the 30 minutes scenic flights which both reveal and showcase the beauty of the country".

Scenic flights from Colombo will be priced at Rs 5,000/- per person all inclusive and flights out of Bentota and Koggala at Rs. 7,000/-. Flights can be extended for forty five minutes to one hour at a higher cost to fly over the central hills of Sri Lanka.

SriLankan Airlines will initially operate two Twin Otter aircraft, each with a capacity of up to 15 passengers.

"The scenic flights are available every weekend from Colombo and throughout the week from Bentota while special on-call scenic flights can be arranged for groups,’’ the release said.

"Sri Lanka is unfolding itself as it has never done before. Take to the skies and be part of it!’’

http://www.island.lk/index.php?page_cat=article-details&page=article-details&code_title=9640

Thanks unbiased87, but they are just talking about the scenic flights.. Hopefully the Colombo-Koggala and Bentota flights will be as cheap as these!! 10,000 rupees return sounds really reasonable

39,200 is really expensive... also this is definitely not a "new" and "unique" because this service was around ages ago!

ICAO has approved several air routes and destinations for airlines to touch down at the Hambantota Airport (HIA) that is scheduled to be open by 2012 end. Full news... (http://www.sundayobserver.lk/2010/10/24/new11.asp)

So this will be the Home base for Mihinlanka then.

Sri Lanka opens construction site of Hambantota international airport for public view... Full news ... (http://www.colombopage.com/archive_10B/Oct25_1287984905CH.php)

I posted another picture of Mihin Lanka 4R-MRC in the "Sri Lanka Airports & Aviation Pictures" thread ... Click here ... (http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showpost.php?p=65964965&postcount=672)

According to Airlineroute (http://airlineroute.net/2010/10/26/mu-kmgcmbmle-w10/), China Eastern in Winter 2010 season appears to maintain 3 weekly Kunming – Colombo – Malé service on board Boeing 737-700 aircraft.

Any updates on British Airways flying directly to Colombo ?

According to Airlineroute (http://airlineroute.net/2010/10/26/mu-kmgcmbmle-w10/), China Eastern in Winter 2010 season appears to maintain 3 weekly Kunming – Colombo – Malé service on board Boeing 737-700 aircraft.

Any updates on British Airways flying directly to Colombo ?

Nothing much on this other than a rumor of starting flights from March 2011 from another forum. If I recall correctly they pulled out the last time around because their yields were low, not sure if they can compete farewise with UL on LHR-CMB.

According to Airlineroute (http://airlineroute.net/2010/10/26/mu-kmgcmbmle-w10/), China Eastern in Winter 2010 season appears to maintain 3 weekly Kunming – Colombo – Malé service on board Boeing 737-700 aircraft.

the 700 has the range, but it must be a pretty flight approximate - I estimate it to be about 3 hours plus - but stuck in a Y class of 737 is pretty disheartening :D

All Economy Etihad Airways A320 to Colombo

http://www.tradearabia.com/news/TTN_188162.html

Jet Airways (9W) is replacing the Jetlite (S2) 's Chennai - Colombo flights from Winter 2010 whilst Air India discontinues the IC coded flights to Colombo, which is currently operating from Chennai as IC573/4.

Lankan Cargo has received its 4R Approval for their B727F (http://www.airplane-pictures.net/image97403.html) aircraft. They are planning to start their maiden freighter service to Chennai from Colombo from November 2010. Not sure about the exact commencement date and aircraft registration. From what I heard, they are employing 1 Captain and 1 Ground Engineer from Indonesia and 1 Captain from Pakistan. Unfortunately still their official web is not in active and aerolanka.aero (http://www.aerolanka.aero/) looks down.

4R-ABK to be delivered to Colombo on the 13th or 14th of November 2010. I have requested few people in Kuwait to send me the pictures of 4R-ABK.

SriLankan Air Taxi operations are starting from 4th January 2011. Routes : Colombo (CMB) - Bentota - Koggala - Colombo (CMB), Colombo (CMB) - Ratmalana, Colombo (CMB) - Koggala, and Charter flights. Website : http://www.srilankan.aero/airtaxi/

4R-ABK to be delivered to Colombo on the 13th or 14th of November 2010. I have requested few people in Kuwait to send me the pictures of 4R-ABK.

Banu Why Kuwait??

SriLankan Airlines has been recognised by UK’s Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (CIMA) for its groundbreaking efforts in Business Intelligence, when it was chosen as one of the top five global breakthrough business intelligence initiatives and shortlisted for the prestigious CIMA Global Awards.

The Airline’s ‘GreenSHeet Business Intelligence Initiative,’ which was developed in-house by the Airline’s own staff, is now in the running for the award which will be presented on 22 November at London’s Royal Lancaster Hotel.
SriLankan’s Head of IT Kamal Nanayakkara said: “SriLankan is proud to be recognised by the CIMA Global Awards, which celebrate the people, teams and organisations who are leading the way in global business. SriLankan needed a near-perfect business intelligence system to remain competitive in the global airline industry. We realised that no existing system in the market was suitable, and outsourced development would prove too complex. So our IT and Finance staff rolled up their sleeves and designed one ourselves.”
SriLankan will be competing with projects from Directski.com (Ireland), Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu, Imperial Logistics (Pty) Ltd, and EMC Computer Systems (UK) Ltd.
The GreenSHeet Business Intelligence Suite was developed to provide real-time management information for SriLankan’s CEO and Senior Management Team, giving them access to the latest financial and operational information on the Company at their fingertips.
SriLankan’s Head of Finance Yasantha Dissanayake said: “The GreenSHeet Business Intelligence Suite carries out complex analyses such as that of the Airline’s route performance, and provides information on-line that was not readily available previously. The rate of change in the factors that affect the airline industry surprises even the most seasoned campaigners. This tool has greatly empowered key decision-makers in our company who now have the support of a system that provides valuable information to enable faster decision making.”
CIMA’s award in business intelligence is intended for the finance team who most clearly demonstrate how they have successfully implemented a business intelligence project, to provide better management information and support evidence based decision making, and demonstrate that they have enabled a significant improvement in their organisation’s performance.
SriLankan Airlines’ IT solutions have won several awards in recent months. These include a Platinum Award from the International Air Transport Association (IATA) as one of the first airlines in the world to introduce a major innovation to tickets, part of its determined efforts to enhance passenger convenience; and a Merit Award at the National Best Quality Software Awards 2010 (NBQSA), for the in-house development of a ‘Fuel Management Information System’ to support the Airline’s efforts to reduce fuel costs and aircraft emissions.

FT.LK (http://www.ft.lk/?p=5959)

4R ABK is ex JAZEERA AIRWAYS is it ?. When Srilankan will get brand new A320 with IFE ?.:banana:





Jet Airways (9W) is replacing the Jetlite (S2) 's Chennai - Colombo flights from Winter 2010 whilst Air India discontinues the IC coded flights to Colombo, which is currently operating from Chennai as IC573/4.

Lankan Cargo has received its 4R Approval for their B727F (http://www.airplane-pictures.net/image97403.html) aircraft. They are planning to start their maiden freighter service to Chennai from Colombo from November 2010. Not sure about the exact commencement date and aircraft registration. From what I heard, they are employing 1 Captain and 1 Ground Engineer from Indonesia and 1 Captain from Pakistan. Unfortunately still their official web is not in active and aerolanka.aero (http://www.aerolanka.aero/) looks down.

4R-ABK to be delivered to Colombo on the 13th or 14th of November 2010. I have requested few people in Kuwait to send me the pictures of 4R-ABK.

SriLankan Air Taxi operations are starting from 4th January 2011. Routes : Colombo (CMB) - Bentota - Koggala - Colombo (CMB), Colombo (CMB) - Ratmalana, Colombo (CMB) - Koggala, and Charter flights. Website : http://www.srilankan.aero/airtaxi/

Island Links
29 Oct, 2010 16:19:10
http://www.lankabusinessonline.com/fullstory.php?nid=1315939748

SriLankan Airlines adds flights to Maldive islands

Oct 29, 2010 (LBO) - SriLankan Airlines is almost doubling daily flights to the Maldive islands from December 1 to cater to the peak tourism season and also connecting a fourth city in China, a statement said.

The number of flights to Male is being increased to six a day from the earlier 3-4 a day, the airline, which has long been the largest carrier into the Maldives, said.
The new flights are part of a big expansion in its network and fleet.

"The most significant addition will be the launch of thrice-weekly services to Guangzhou scheduled for January 28, the fourth city in China to be served by SriLankan," the airline said.

This would take the route network of Sri Lanka's national carrier to 50 destinations in 31 countries.

In Europe, SriLankan will add its 13th weekly flight to London, with effect from December 15, flying twice daily on all days except Friday.

In Southeast Asia, both Singapore and Kuala Lumpur will have an added flight for a total of 11 flights each from December 01.

The Middle East will see significant changes throughout the region including the services to Bahrain, Muscat and Doha, the statement said.

Karachi will also have an added frequency, bringing it to four a week from December 01.

In India, where SriLankan serves six cities, there will be increased flights to Mumbai, Chennai and Bangalore.

Mumbai will have a total of 10 flights from December 01, up from the earlier daily frequency.

Chennai will have one additional flight for a total of 15 flights, with three on Friday and two each on all other days from December 01 and Bangalore will go to a daily frequency with the addition of one more flight.

The airline has already begun expanding its fleet, with seven more aircraft by the end of 2011.

The first of these, a wide-body Airbus A330, arrived last July. Three more are planned by February 2011, including two Airbus A320s, and a De Havilland Twin Otter floatplane for the re-launch of the domestic SriLankan Air Taxi service.

Indian Airlines is operating only until 30th October 2010 on airsrilanka.org. Any reason why they are stopping operations to CMB?

According to Airlineroute (http://airlineroute.net/2010/10/26/mu-kmgcmbmle-w10/), China Eastern in Winter 2010 season appears to maintain 3 weekly Kunming – Colombo – Malé service on board Boeing 737-700 aircraft.

Any updates on British Airways flying directly to Colombo ?

Hey how are you. I am from Bangladesh forum. I am interested in your aviation industry. So I wanna join with you people. Biman Bangladesh and Srilankan Airlines very close to it's fleet number. Your national airline doing good.

In our country the aviation related to worker who goes to Arabian country, UK, and other European country. Some times our neighbor country.

As I know, in Srilanka Aviation related to the tourism. Am I right ?
Can you give me idea that how much big it's aviation market ?

Yes you are correct,it is closely kint with tourism.After end of conflict it is set to grow rapidly. Plans are under way to make Srilanka as a avition hub for
south asia and below projects are implmented by govt of Srilanka to achive this goal.

* Expansion of colombo airport .
* Construction of new international airport in soutern Srilanka
* Double the fleet of Srilankan airlines by 2015
* Add more aircraft to Mihin Lanka ( low cost carrier )
* Increased aircraft maintainence capacity at Srilankan engineering
* Add flight stemulator for crew (local & foregin) traning




Hey how are you. I am from Bangladesh forum. I am interested in your aviation industry. So I wanna join with you people. Biman Bangladesh and Srilankan Airlines very close to it's fleet number. Your national airline doing good.

In our country the aviation related to worker who goes to Arabian country, UK, and other European country. Some times our neighbor country.

As I know, in Srilanka Aviation related to the tourism. Am I right ?
Can you give me idea that how much big it's aviation market ?

SriLankan pilot crisis solved by chairman

The national carrier, which hit rock bottom last week with an unprecedented half a dozen flight cancellations in a peace time, has been brought to its senses with its chairman Nishantha Wickramasinghe directly intervening and winning the co-operation of pilots to come out of the problem.

SriLankan sources said yesterday that in order to get over the immediate problem of shortage of pilots, which had been aggravated by the carrier blindly adding new aircraft and destinations, pilots have agreed with immediate effect to increase their flying time from 900 hours per year to 1000 per year, which is the maximum permitted by international air navigation rules.

At a meeting Wickramasinghe held with pilots, the latter had agreed to implement the measure verbally pending the signing of a new agreement.
The talks with the Pilots Guild took place on Tuesday at the SriLankan Cargo Office at De Vos Avenue, Duplication Road

As most pilots had almost exhausted the 900-hour earlier flying limit the airline was being automatically grounded and because of the sudden cancellations without giving adequate prior notice the airline was even liable to be fined as much as 600 Euros per passenger under existing EU rules.
Sources said unlike some other management pundits in the airline, the chairman had thoroughly studied the subject prior to Tuesday’s meeting and had offered a higher package to pilots to attract especially new Captains to the carrier.

The problem is so serious despite the pilots agreeing to fly additional hundred hours, Wickramasinghe has also agreed to recruit at least 30 more pilots on an urgent basis as otherwise the existing pilots will not be able to utilise their leave.
The Nation learns that at least six pilots from the Greek Olympic Airways, which shut down recently, will now join the national carrier.
A few more Greek pilots had applied to join the carrier, but had failed to pass the English test and English spoken by them was all ‘Greek to our pilots’.

http://www.nation.lk/2010/10/31/news3.htm

Banu Why Kuwait??

Aircraft is rumoured to be leased from Jazeera Air/Sahaab Leasing AFAIK. Not sure why they leased such an old aircraft (MSN2500 range) when they have newer aircraft (MSN2900 range) already in their fleet. I could see the 3 IAE engined aircraft being replaced by new CFM engined aircraft eventually (maybe at the end of their lease) and possibly sent to Mihin. Mihin has a long term aim of having 5 aircraft (compared with 25 for UL), so the 3 aircraft + 2 existing aircraft seems to fulfill that goal. See here: http://www.lbr.lk/fullstory.php?nid=201010110840409783

Hey how are you. I am from Bangladesh forum. I am interested in your aviation industry. So I wanna join with you people. Biman Bangladesh and Srilankan Airlines very close to it's fleet number. Your national airline doing good.

In our country the aviation related to worker who goes to Arabian country, UK, and other European country. Some times our neighbor country.

As I know, in Srilanka Aviation related to the tourism. Am I right ?
Can you give me idea that how much big it's aviation market ?

Welcome to the Lankan aviation forum and hope you continue to visit here. :)

Hey how are you. I am from Bangladesh forum. I am interested in your aviation industry. So I wanna join with you people. Biman Bangladesh and Srilankan Airlines very close to it's fleet number. Your national airline doing good.

In our country the aviation related to worker who goes to Arabian country, UK, and other European country. Some times our neighbor country.

As I know, in Srilanka Aviation related to the tourism. Am I right ?
Can you give me idea that how much big it's aviation market ?

Everytime when I was in Colombo Airport I saw tons of European tourists lining up for check-in for QR and Europe/Maldives-bound UL flights.

Air Asia also carries many Australian & local Malaysian tourists ( being 7X in this line )

But for Dhaka- bound Air Asia flights ( already 3X travelling in this line ) I got the feeling that I was the only foreigner on the plane.. I feel like 70% of passengers are Bangladeshi expats/workers in Malaysia and 20-25% are made of Bangladeshi tourists coming down to visit SE Asia.

Everytime when I was in Colombo Airport I saw tons of European tourists lining up for check-in for QR and Europe/Maldives-bound UL flights.

Air Asia also carries many Australian & local Malaysian tourists ( being 7X in this line )

But for Dhaka- bound Air Asia flights ( already 3X travelling in this line ) I got the feeling that I was the only foreigner on the plane.. I feel like 70% of passengers are Bangladeshi expats/workers in Malaysia and 20-25% are made of Bangladeshi tourists coming down to visit SE Asia.

Yes, that true.

Mihin lanka gonna start Dhaka-Colombo direct flight from December. the news also published in our news papers.
http://www.bdtravelandhealth.com/jsp/news/newsDetails.jsp?ID=473

Can you tell me is the seats are 30 or 29 inch ?

SriLankan looks to capitalise on stability
By Siva Govindasamy

Carrier aims for lift off as it looks to capitalise on island nation's new-found stability, writes Siva Govindasamy in Colombo

Cautious optimism is slowly returning to Sri Lanka, after the government defeated the Tamil Tiger separatist rebels in May 2009 in a bloody final campaign after a 30-year civil war. Citizens are enjoying the growing economy and looking to travel, the island is once again attracting investors after a long lull, and tourist numbers have finally begun to rise after dropping sharply in 2008 and 2009 at the height of the conflict.

National carrier SriLankan hopes to ride this new optimism. The state increased its stake in the carrier to around 95% after it bought Emirates' 43.6% holding in July for $53 million, following an acrimonious end to a 10-year management deal in 2008 with the Dubai-based carrier.

Manoj Gunawardena, who became chief executive in 2008, says SriLankan is "aligned with the government's aims". This includes providing airline connections to points the government feels are the key investor and tourist destinations for the country. But he stresses the management has "total autonomy" to transform the airline to ensure a return to profitability.

"Let me make this clear - politicians are not involved in the day-to-day decision making process. The management reports to me and we have full autonomy. The government is the majority shareholder and we get the strategic direction from it," he says. "It also expects its investment to pay off and we must have a plan to ensure that happens."

There is a lot to do. SriLankan lost SLR6.03 billion ($53.8 million) for the year ended March 2010, around SLR4 billion less than its net loss from a year before. Revenues fell 15% to SLR63.4 billion, but a push to reduce costs helped cut operating expenditure 18%.

It needs stability after the end of the relationship with Emirates, which many in the industry credit with helping to transform SriLankan from its previously moribund self. "Emirates taught us the importance of customer service and marketing, and the value of a proper network. It was important to change the mindset in SriLankan, and Emirates also helped us to do that," says Gunawardena. "But the government also wants the airline to head in a different direction and that was something Emirates could not agree on. That was why the management contract was not renewed when it ended."

In January, SriLankan revealed a business transformation strategy for the next five years. It will imminently appoint a consultancy to review the plan and has enlisted airline rating organisation Skytrax to audit customers' experiences on its flights.

The airline has been studying a gradual expansion of its network, eyeing new markets in China, Russia, Canada and Australia. It also plans to increase the frequency of flights to London Heathrow, Tokyo Narita, Paris and Frankfurt. The aim is to serve countries that could bring in tourists and investors, he adds.

SriLankan's fleet will reach 25 by 2015; today it operates a mix of 15 Airbus A320s, A330s and A340s. Next year it will study its requirements beyond 2015, looking at narrowbodies, and two types of widebodies for medium and long-haul services.

"The main aim over the last few years has been to survive. Now that we have a bit more stability after the end of the war and the government buy-out, we can focus on our passengers," he adds. It plans to equip its long-haul fleet's business class cabin with flatbed seats and new in-flight entertainment systems.

"There is still a lot to do, but we have begun transforming the airline. It will take time, but I am confident that you will see a totally different SriLankan in a few years," says Gunawardena.

http://www.flightglobal.com/articles/2010/10/27/348975/srilankan-looks-to-capitalise-on-stability.html

Mihin Lanka adds more routes with new plane
By Azhar Razak

Sri Lanka’s low-cost carrier Mihin Lanka, which currently services five destinations, is planning to add three more destinations, following the lease of a new aircraft expected to come onboard this month.
According to a senior official of the firm, Mihin Lanka will commence flights to Male in Maldives, Dhaka in Bangladesh and Jakarta in Indonesia, commencing from next month.
“We will be getting a new A320 aircraft next month in the form of a dry-lease with Airbus Financial Services. We plan to deploy this aircraft to carry passengers to the three new destinations,” Mihin Lanka director cum chief executive officer (CEO) Kapila Chandrasena told The Bottom Line.
He says the new aircraft, which could carry about 210 passengers, would fly three frequencies to Dhaka, three frequencies to Jakarta and four frequencies to Male in a week.
“This new addition to our fleet is a welcome move since of late, we have been experiencing heavy demand from customers to fly to more destinations,” Chandrasena said.
He said the carrier is making good progress by utilising its single aircraft in fleet to the optimum level.
“To make profits we need to achieve economies of scale which needs several aircrafts flying to different destinations. So, the new addition is this first step and helps us in our way forward in achieving our profitability motive,” he said.

Servicing motive

However, the CEO said that as a state-run carrier, its main motive was to provide a service to the majority of the people of this country by enabling them to go to places where other airlines do not take them and at the least expense.
“Our target market is the masses of the people in this country, especially those low income earners and the middle class which we aim to provide them with a service to suit their requirements,” he said.
Mihin Air presently flies two destinations to the Middle East (Kuwait and Dubai) and three in India being Trichy, and sacred cities Bodh Gaya and Varanes.
“This is where the common man wants to go. For example, before we launched flights to Bodh Gaya and Varanes, many Sri Lankans, who wanted to go to these places, were finding it hard to travel since it consumed three or four days to reach the destinations,” he said adding that they had to fly to nearby cities in India and thereafter take the train from there which was by far very expensive as well.
“This was a big hassle for them since they had to travel for days to reach Bodh Gaya or Varanes. However, since we started operations, more and more people can now afford to visit these places with the minimum hassle,” Chandrasena explained.

Comfort but safety

He said the majority of Sri Lankans do not expect comfort to be a big factor but would choose Mihin Air because it is affordable, safe and more culture friendly.
“We are also one of the few budget airlines that provide a meal to customers on board, and have a free baggage allowance which is very rare with other low cost airlines,” Chandrasena said.
He stressed that Mihin Air is also very safe to fly as it is flown by qualified and well experienced pilots from Sri Lanka.

Growth on track

According to the CEO, the airline which restarted operations in January 2009 with one single wet lease aircraft and 250 employees is presently on track to achieving higher growth.
He said that by December 2009 the airline was able to dry lease the same aircraft.
“When we started, we were only making modest revenue of US $ 0.5 million monthly. However, we are happy to note that we have made very good progress with revenues comparatively quadrupling and costs coming down drastically,” Chandrasena said.
He said monthly revenues are now averaging around US$ 2 million a month and the airline has been successful in cutting down the workforce to 160 from 250.

Future plans

According to Mihin Lanka’s three year business plan, the airline aims at having a fleet capacity of four aircraft by the end of 2011.
The CEO said the carrier was also targeting at doubling the present revenue by end 2011, but would only look to increase its expenses by 60 percent to achieve this targeted revenue.
Mihin Lanka, formed to cater for low cost air transportation to the traveling public, commenced operations in April 2007 initially flying to Dubai.
The airline is represented by appointed General Sales Agents in India, Dubai, Maldives, Qatar, Kuwait and Korea.



http://www.thebottomline.lk/2010/11/07/travel.html

Domestic terminal at BIA

The Airport Aviation Services (AASL) is to build a domestic air terminal at the Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) in Colombo.

Chairman, AASL, Prasanna J Wickramasuriya, said that the old SriLankan Airline catering service would be used for this purpose.

"We are now drawing plans to get this project off the ground," he said.

The main objective of this project is to enable passengers to take connecting flights to several domestic airports which are currently being developed. He said that they have specially identified Ratmalana, Palali, Trincomalee, Ampara and Koggala for rapid development. "With these airports developed domestic flights can take off from Colombo to these destinations and the passengers don't have to travel to Ratmalana for this," he said.

Mihin Lanka has already announced that they would be starting Colombo-Jaffna domestic flights for BIA. "This too can be operated from the proposed domestic terminal. With a domestic terminal in place a passenger gets the opportunity to fly overseas in less than two hours by taking a domestic flight to BIA and then get a connecting flight overseas," he said.

Wickramasuriya also said that they have restarted the luxury train service from the BIA to Colombo and this is now becoming popular. - SOS

http://www.sundayobserver.lk/2010/11/07/new24.asp

Not sure how profitable would Jakarta route be for Mihin as O&D traffic will be severely restricted as Sri Lankans cannot get visas for Indonesia.

(to be precise, they need a special approval from Jakarta which never comes)

Domestic terminal at BIA

The Airport Aviation Services (AASL) is to build a domestic air terminal at the Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) in Colombo.

Chairman, AASL, Prasanna J Wickramasuriya, said that the old SriLankan Airline catering service would be used for this purpose.

"We are now drawing plans to get this project off the ground," he said.

The main objective of this project is to enable passengers to take connecting flights to several domestic airports which are currently being developed. He said that they have specially identified Ratmalana, Palali, Trincomalee, Ampara and Koggala for rapid development. "With these airports developed domestic flights can take off from Colombo to these destinations and the passengers don't have to travel to Ratmalana for this," he said.

Mihin Lanka has already announced that they would be starting Colombo-Jaffna domestic flights for BIA. "This too can be operated from the proposed domestic terminal. With a domestic terminal in place a passenger gets the opportunity to fly overseas in less than two hours by taking a domestic flight to BIA and then get a connecting flight overseas," he said.

Wickramasuriya also said that they have restarted the luxury train service from the BIA to Colombo and this is now becoming popular. - SOS

http://www.sundayobserver.lk/2010/11/07/new24.asp

Making Ratmalana a second tier international airport would make even more sense, as business travellers could land there and get to the city whihc is just 12km away.

The Senok Trade Group, heavily into the automobile business, is planning to start a helicopter service, company and aviation industry officials, said. “The Senok team had a meeting with Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) officials and they are now discussing the details pertaining to certification process,” a CAA source told the Business Times.

He said the CAA had requested the company to submit their business plans. A spokesman for the company confirmed that Senok is planning an aviation company – initially for local transport - which may be named as Air Senok which will see them import two brand new helicopters from France.

“We have been running our travel company since 1979 and we thought that such an initiative will complement our business,” he said, adding that the investment amounts are not finalised as yet.
“We will start with two helicopters and then move to a fixed wing airline. It will take about six months to start once the documentation has been submitted and licence granted by the CAA,” he said. The company has 14 businesses ranging from travel to haulage and from mining to hydropower.

http://sundaytimes.lk/101107/BusinessTimes/bt05.html

This means they are probably going to go with Eurocopter.

Making Ratmalana a second tier international airport would make even more sense, as business travellers could land there and get to the city whihc is just 12km away.


too close to CMB, not practical

@ Lordvader & Srilankan - SriLankan's 4R-ABK (ex-9K-CAB) is currently at Kuwait since two days following a major overhaul but no idea where that had taken place. According to Flightradar it operated as J98241 on the 5-Nov-2010, probably as a test flight. Any time I will post some pictures of 4R-ABK from Kuwait city airport (KWI). Keep an eye on the "Sri Lanka Airports & Aviation Pictures" thread :o)

too close to CMB, not practical

JFK, EWR and LGA?

I am not saying Colombo is NYC, but all three airports have developed their respective markets.

JFK = Premium international
EWR = Premium and non-premium international
LGA = Mostly domestic

Similarly,

CMB = Premium long haul international traffic
RML = Budget and short haul international + Domestic

http://www.flickr.com/photos/wee_in_yyc/5152912654/in/contacts/

Removed

http://www.flickr.com/photos/wee_in_yyc/5152912654/

Sri Lankan Air Taxi - first few photos - still in Calgary getting ready for the long trip. Photo courtesy of Wee@YYC

Domestic terminal at BIA

The Airport Aviation Services (AASL) is to build a domestic air terminal at the Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) in Colombo.

Chairman, AASL, Prasanna J Wickramasuriya, said that the old SriLankan Airline catering service would be used for this purpose.

"We are now drawing plans to get this project off the ground," he said.

The main objective of this project is to enable passengers to take connecting flights to several domestic airports which are currently being developed. He said that they have specially identified Ratmalana, Palali, Trincomalee, Ampara and Koggala for rapid development. "With these airports developed domestic flights can take off from Colombo to these destinations and the passengers don't have to travel to Ratmalana for this," he said.

Mihin Lanka has already announced that they would be starting Colombo-Jaffna domestic flights for BIA. "This too can be operated from the proposed domestic terminal. With a domestic terminal in place a passenger gets the opportunity to fly overseas in less than two hours by taking a domestic flight to BIA and then get a connecting flight overseas," he said.

Wickramasuriya also said that they have restarted the luxury train service from the BIA to Colombo and this is now becoming popular. - SOS

http://www.sundayobserver.lk/2010/11/07/new24.asp


I wonder exactly what he means by 'terminal'?

Initially I had a vision of a building the size of the current BIA terminal, but that makes no sense at all for domestic flights. There would only be a few domestic flights a day in and out of BIA. A small building would suffice.

Making BIA Colombo's domestic airport makes sense because then passengers on international flights could easily get on a domestic flight to somewhere else in the country and vice versa. Also once the Colombo-Katunayake expressway is open it would be only a 20 minute drive to Colombo so people in Colombo could easily get to a domestic flight also.

JFK, EWR and LGA?

I am not saying Colombo is NYC, but all three airports have developed their respective markets.

JFK = Premium international
EWR = Premium and non-premium international
LGA = Mostly domestic

Similarly,

CMB = Premium long haul international traffic
RML = Budget and short haul international + Domestic

Yes, or RML could be developed for VIP business jets, helicopters and small charter flights etc. That said I think that most scheduled passenger services should be operated into CMB so that it has a chance to expand.

@ Lordvader & Srilankan - SriLankan's 4R-ABK (ex-9K-CAB) is currently at Kuwait since two days following a major overhaul but no idea where that had taken place. According to Flightradar it operated as J98241 on the 5-Nov-2010, probably as a test flight. Any time I will post some pictures of 4R-ABK from Kuwait city airport (KWI). Keep an eye on the "Sri Lanka Airports & Aviation Pictures" thread :o)

Nice to hear the good news! Thanks for the update. :)

Not sure how profitable would Jakarta route be for Mihin as O&D traffic will be severely restricted as Sri Lankans cannot get visas for Indonesia.

(to be precise, they need a special approval from Jakarta which never comes)

To be precise, the a special approval needs to come from Ministry of Defence in Jakarta, which never comes but, lo and behold, a 'handling fee' of 1,500$ seem to have fixed it for our brethren to get multiple-entry business visa .. but, no sir, we can't issue you a tourist visa .. :D :D

PS: above is not any suggestion of corruption or not - nope - it's beyond my knowledge ..

I wonder exactly what he means by 'terminal'?

Initially I had a vision of a building the size of the current BIA terminal, but that makes no sense at all for domestic flights. There would only be a few domestic flights a day in and out of BIA. A small building would suffice.

logistically, a domestic terminal can filter out the domestic travellers, if and when there is a boom in local travel - and local travellers just need security clearence and baggage check in and dispense with Immigration / Customs etc .. unless tranporting things within the various provinces entails "duty" :D :D

As I have seen in Indonesia, Malaysia, Vietnam and Philippines, domestic terminals are much lacking in facilities and services, and being seperated from main / international terminals, passengers just walk out of the plane to pick up the bags as they are dropped in the baggage collection areas, and no carousels are needed .. saves money and makes life easier I guess ..

my 2 cents ..

As for Ratmalana - unless they can make the Galle Road have an underpass and extend the runway / safety area, it is a no go ..

SriLankan to Offer All Y service
http://airlineindustryreview.com/srilankan-airlines-to-introduce-all-economy-class-service/
There's no point in turning RML into international. Land reclamation issues

To be precise, the a special approval needs to come from Ministry of Defence in Jakarta, which never comes but, lo and behold, a 'handling fee' of 1,500$ seem to have fixed it for our brethren to get multiple-entry business visa .. but, no sir, we can't issue you a tourist visa .. :D :D

PS: above is not any suggestion of corruption or not - nope - it's beyond my knowledge ..

I do not understand the theory behind this refusal.

Sri Lankan passport holders living in US and Australia have been refused visas to Indonesia for no apparent reason.

Something I think SL govt should take up with their Indonesian counter parts.

I do not understand the theory behind this refusal.

Sri Lankan passport holders living in US and Australia have been refused visas to Indonesia for no apparent reason.

Something I think SL govt should take up with their Indonesian counter parts.

It's nothing to do with where you live, it is the Passport :D Then again, Indonesia isn't alone in treating SL Passports like that - it will be another matter all together ... :eek:

as for taking it up with Indonesian Govt, maybe that's something the SL Govt is doing by starting flights to CGK :D :D I am bit lost as to who would be flying unless it's gonna be a cargo run .. well, there is enough freight to lift CGK - CMB !!

it is like the fabled flight an Asian carrier launched to a country, where the airline's own people need prior visa and almost 9 out of 10 were rejected ... and the carrier was doing a politically important route .. but then it turned out that the planed was loaded to the brim with freight that the planes never needed passengers for a start ..

^^
None of the other countries have a blanket ban on Sri Lankans as does Indonesia.

Umm... why would Indonesia reject visa for Sri Lankans ? I never heard of any hostility between both .

Umm... why would Indonesia reject visa for Sri Lankans ? I never heard of any hostility between both .

Most probably due to some asylum seekers who might have used Indonesia as a transit point in the past..... I might not be correct on this.

Cases like these make me wish the SL government will do something in reciprocation, after all they wanted to introduce visas to Sri Lanka on a reciprocal basis, why not deny visas to SL on the same basis?

Most probably due to some asylum seekers who might have used Indonesia as a transit point in the past..... I might not be correct on this.

Cases like these make me wish the SL government will do something in reciprocation, after all they wanted to introduce visas to Sri Lanka on a reciprocal basis, why not deny visas to SL on the same basis?

As a matter of fact, I can count atleast 30 countries, non European countries, which get visa on arrival to SL, but in the reverse, the counter part countries insist on bank statements, letter from employer, gaurantor, and everything possible to even consider whether it is worth heading to those countries - and it is more surprising to find out that those countries only subject SL Passport holders to such stringent checks, despite the passport holder living outside SL - like in Malaysia, Thailand, Singapore ..

Well, life goes on I guess :D :D

SL needs tourists more than the tourist's own country need SL tourists !!

Think the whole perception towards mihin lanka's jakarta flight potential is misconstrued. AFAIK, indonesia passenger traffic is mainly pilgrims to saudi&other gulf countries for now, and not tourism as mentioned.

Perhaps, in the long run tourism could be of great potential for Sri Lanka as well. This pilgrimage can be seen from the flights originating from jakarta through singapore/kuala Lumpur, and transitting with Sri Lankan airlines, Emirates, Etihad, Qatar airways, Gulf Air etc.............

Perhaps, in the long run tourism could be of great potential for Sri Lanka as well. This pilgrimage can be seen from the flights originating from jakarta through singapore/kuala Lumpur, and transitting with Sri Lankan airlines, Emirates, Etihad, Qatar airways, Gulf Air etc.............

You got to be kidding mate .. Indonesian pilgrims on holiday break in SL ?? :D that cracked me up ..

While Indonesia is the world's biggest muslim country in terms of population, almost 99% of the pilgrims are on chartered SV or GA flights heavily subsidised by the Govt ..

While Indonesia does have has some super-rich .....

Banu, Thanks for the pics of the new A320 (in the other thread).

Does anyone jave any news on the new A320? Are the Jazeera seats being replaced with UL ones (or are they at least being reupholstered)? Wonder why they went for an all economy config?

Also, I think they went with the CFM56 engines since they also power the A340 fleet as well. If all the A320s are replaced with CFM powered units, then it may save some money in terms of spare parts etc. Not sure why they didnt realise this initially.

Is UL getting anymore widebodies soon? The fact that they arent equipping the 3 older A340s with IFE could mean that they are getting replaced soon. Anyone know anything about that?

Exclusive: UL to resume Kochi. Daily A320.
http://airlineindustryreview.com/srilankan-to-launch-kochi-flights/

@ Lordvader - 4R-ABK (http://oi51.tinypic.com/okbuol.jpg) (ex-9K-CAB) to be delivered to Colombo on the 30th November 2010. Kflyer website (http://www.airlineindustryreview.com/srilankan-airlines-to-introduce-all-economy-class-service/) shows SriLankan's next two A320s are MSN2569 (http://www.airliners.net/photo/Jazeera-Airways/Airbus-A320-214/1298891/L/) and MSN4694. It could be correct.

@ Nausad - Apologise for late reply. Air India is withdrawing the IC coded flight from Colombo because of the political preasure, According to this news. Link (http://expressbuzz.com/finance/air-india-to-withdraw-profitable-flights/219731.html).

@ Kflyer - Great news that SriLankan is resuming flights to Kochi (COK). Thanks for the news. Hope they also will resume other suspended flights to Coimbatore, Goa, Kozhikode and Shamashabad.

@ Lordvader - 4R-ABK (http://oi51.tinypic.com/okbuol.jpg) (ex-9K-CAB) to be delivered to Colombo on the 30th November 2010. Kflyer website (http://www.airlineindustryreview.com/srilankan-airlines-to-introduce-all-economy-class-service/) shows SriLankan's next two A320s are MSN2569 (http://www.airliners.net/photo/Jazeera-Airways/Airbus-A320-214/1298891/L/) and MSN4694. It could be correct.

@ Nausad - Apologise for late reply. Air India is withdrawing the IC coded flight from Colombo because of the political preasure, According to this news. Link (http://expressbuzz.com/finance/air-india-to-withdraw-profitable-flights/219731.html).

@ Kflyer - Great news that SriLankan is resuming flights to Kochi (COK). Thanks for the news. Hope they also will resume other suspended flights to Coimbatore, Goa, Kozhikode and Shamashabad.

Guys could not find MSN4694

MSN4694 is the brand new frame. Not yet built.

MSN4694 is the brand new frame. Not yet built.

Ok thanks for the news...

SKY IS THE LIMIT FOR NATIONAL CARRIER, SAYS SRILANKAN CHIEF
DATE_FORMAT_LC2
Roy Silva in London
November 11, 2010: SriLankan Airlines, for the first six months of this year, is breaking even and making small profits for the first time. It's going to be a very good future, and things are going to be a lot more different, says Nishantha Wickramasinghe, Chairman of SriLankan Airlines.

Expressing his views to Newsfirst in London at the World Travel Market (WTM) held at the ExCel Centre, Nishantha paints the big picture with new aircraft coming in resulting in more flights to more destinations around the globe. He says that on the radar are 21 flights to UK and extending some of them to Toronto; four destinations in China; flights to Russia, Australia and more flights to the Middle East, And finally making Colombo an air hub.

Nishantha said that when he took over as Chairman, it was managed by Emirates and the airline was stagnant. For the last 10 years, there was hardly any new development such as induction of new aircraft, going to new destinations.

“The challenge I received from President Mahinda Rajapaksa was that in five year's time he wanted to see a major development, with new aircraft coming in, new destinations and to couple it to the country's tourism drive.

“We saw that with the country's target of 2.5 million tourists by 2016, we had to get tourists from China, Russia, India and the Middle East. The President wanted us to capture those markets. And SriLankan being the primary airline that carry most of our tourists to Sri Lanka, we had to play a major role and that's the whole purpose of having a national carrier.

“We have taken on board his vision, and are developing a plan. We are making a bid to re-fleet, do up the cabins and have a star-class airline service. So we will be replacing the seats, new kitchens, new galleys, new toilets and at the same time, we will be inducting new aircraft.

The SriLankan chief said that it was difficult to get aircraft over the shelf. “It takes time but we are already on the pipeline, ordered and confirmed six narrow body aircraft, which will be deployed in the short haul services in Asia and deploy our five A340s and five A330s for long haul.

“Of A320s we have only two and we are going to increase it to six and ease the pressure on the bigger aircraft. Not that we are not going in for wide body aircraft. We actually are going to get two more immediately and we are looking around for them. Hopefully we are going to have them before long.

China

Commenting on the eastern sector, Nishantha said that SriLankan had only two destinations in China, Beijing and Hong Kong. It would be extended to Shanghai and by January we will be going to Canton. By January SriLankan will have four destinations in China, said the SriLankan chief.

The airline would be flying to Moscow before long. All paperwork had been done. That market too had to be approached because it was also a tourism market, he added.

Middle East

On the Middle East route, Nishantha said it was a sector where the airline wanted to increase its frequencies.

“There are a lot of tourists who want to come to Sri Lanka from the Middle East. Not seasonally, but right throughout the year. In Colombo hotels, most of the tourists are from Middle East countries. That's a big market.

Colombo a hub

Sri Lankan chairman noted that the airline wanted to run Colombo as a hub, especially for Male. For the Maldives, SriLankan was like their national carrier because it brought most of the tourists there.

“So we want to run a shuttle from next year that is Colombo – Male, Male – Colombo with a plane plying the route every two or three hours. That will help us to make Colombo the hub. I want the tourists to come to Colombo and then move on to Male because that way they will spend a few days in Colombo.

Europe

Then comes Europe. We have worked out the figures. With two more new aircraft coming in, we are seriously thinking about increasing our flights to London Heathrow. From next month, we are operating the 13th flight per week to London.

Nishantha said that the airline would be flying to Gatwick from next year.

“We have found that a lot of passengers fly to Male from Gatwick. I'm talking about the big picture and on the radar are 14 flights a week to London Heathrow and 7 flights to London Gatwick. That would be 21 flights altogether to London per week.

The Gatwick flights will go straight to Male and Heathrow flights to Colombo and we want to extend at least three or four flights from London to Toronto, Canada to capture that market. Of course we have to get the approval. Bilateral agreements have been signed.

“Well if everything goes on well, all this will fall into place next year,” said the SriLankan chief.

On sectors such as Frankfurt in Germany, Paris in France and Milan in Italy, he said the airline flies 3 times a week and they wanted to make it four times.

“So by end of next year, we want to make at least five flights to all these destinations in Europe to capture those markets.

He said the airline planned flights to Russia and Australia too.

On paper, the numbers that come in from Canada are much more than Australia, observed Nishantha.

“There's a big ethnic population in Canada. In this post conflict period, a lot of people are travelling. We have code shares with Air Canada and bring in a lot of people to Colombo. The passenger number growth has gone up by 43 per cent compared to the first three months of last year. In fact there were a few travel agents from Canada and we took them to Jaffna a few days ago. They were all ethnic agents.

“This is only the build up to what we want to do” said the SriLankan Airlines chairman.

However, Nishantha said that the airline's immediate moves were flights to Canton, Russia, increase flights to the United Kingdom and India.

Mihin Air

Asked to comment on Mihin Air, Mr. Wickremasinghe said that he was the Chairman of Mihin Air too.

“It was brought under me to avoid any clashes. I manage Mihin as a feeder for SriLankan Airlines. Mihin at present is flying to Trichi, Buddhagaya, Varanasi, Kuwait and Dubai. I'm getting another aircraft for them and from next month, in December we will be flying to Jakarta and to Dhaka.

“We will bring in passengers from Jakarta to Colombo and from here, we will take them to the Middle East on SriLankan Airlines. It's a synergy. From Dhaka, a lot of people go to Male. We plan three flights a week to Dhaka,” said Nishantha.

Profitability

Commenting on profits, Nishantha said that the airline's financial situation had improved tremendously. “In fact we are breaking even and making small profits for the first six months of this year, for the first time.

“All credit should go to President Mahinda Rajapaksa who stopped the 30-year conflict. No conflict, people are coming, we have good business, hotels are doing well, airlines are doing well, so full credit should be given to the cessation of the conflict. Without that we could not have done anything.

“I know it's going to be a very good future,” said the SriLankan chied in exuberant mood and added, “Things are going to be a lot more different.”

In fact this is the same guy who said he'll be leasing 345s and launch Australia immediately, around two yrs ago. And they've been saying since last year that they've broken even. How many times do they need to break even to break even ? And he doesn't seem to know that UL has three 320s. Some of the stuff this guy has said are true. But I do not take him as someone credible.
MLE shuttle is a good idea, although it's already so.

SKY IS THE LIMIT FOR NATIONAL CARRIER, SAYS SRILANKAN CHIEF
DATE_FORMAT_LC2
Roy Silva in London
November 11, 2010: SriLankan Airlines, for the first six months of this year, is breaking even and making small profits for the first time. It's going to be a very good future, and things are going to be a lot more different, says Nishantha Wickramasinghe, Chairman of SriLankan Airlines.......................

Are they including any revenue from the sale lease back of A330s for this break even statement?

In fact this is the same guy who said he'll be leasing 345s and launch Australia immediately, around two yrs ago. And they've been saying since last year that they've broken even. How many times do they need to break even to break even ? And he doesn't seem to know that UL has three 320s. Some of the stuff this guy has said are true. But I do not take him as someone credible.
MLE shuttle is a good idea, although it's already so.

LOL that said his ideas seem pretty good! Although he should also concentrate on expanding Mihin as a LCC. In regards to the 345s were they looking at ex Kingfisher ones? They have really splendid interiors and it wouldve boosted UL's image tremendously.

LOL that said his ideas seem pretty good! Although he should also concentrate on expanding Mihin as a LCC. In regards to the 345s were they looking at ex Kingfisher ones? They have really splendid interiors and it wouldve boosted UL's image tremendously.

ex kingfisher ones are supposedly going to Air Zimbabwe through HiFly.

SriLankan Airlines Annual Report 2010. Link (http://www.srilankan.aero/aboutus/SriLankan_Airlines_Annual_Report_2009_2010.pdf).

@ KFlyer - Is CN4694 a CFM engined aircraft (-214) ?

@banuthev, yes. And so are the two from Jazeera.

I heard about Ukraine International Airlines start CMB via Abu dhabi from Kiev-Boryspil. Can some one confirm this news..

can find schedule on this link

http://www.flyuia.com/eng/timetable.html?&lang=en

From Hong Kong, JAL’s “JL” code appears on CX service to Italy, South Africa, India, plus selected cities in Vietnam, Malaysia, Indonesia and Australia. From Bangkok, “JL” code appears on CX service to India, and from Singapore to Sri Lanka.


Full News
http://airlineroute.net/2010/11/01/jlcx-codeshare-w10/

Watch for the Sri Lankan Air Taxi arrival. Aircraft left Calgary earlier this week for the ferry flight.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/wee_in_yyc/5170426430/

CalgaryLankan, thank you very much. Does she have ACARS/SBS by any chance ?

It is a gorgeous bird..thanks for sharing..

@Poosa, Indeed. She's 41yrs old. But I seriously doubt whether someone has mistaken the reg data.

@Poosa, Indeed. She's 41yrs old. But I seriously doubt whether someone has mistaken the reg data.

According to CCAR C-FBBA belongs to Ken Borek Air and was indeed manufactured in 1969. As this is for inland tours and the otters are sturdy little planes I guess age is not a factor as long as they are maintained well.

Still I would have expected something better from UL.............

@ Poosa - Yes, Ukraine Airlines (PS) will be operating Kiev to Abu Dhabi to Colombo route from 12th December 2010. Two weekly flights with B737. I think PS flights between Abu Dhabi and Colombo may not have a fifth freedom rights.

@ CalgaryLankan - Many thanks for sharing the SriLankan's DHC6 pictures :cheers2: Aircraft livery looks unique and its in the way of promoting the Sri Lanka Tourism. Does anybody know whats her new registration ? 4R-ARC ?

I posted some pictures of SriLankan AirTaxi-DHC6 in the "Sri Lanka Airports & Aviation Pictures" thread. Click here to view the pictures... (http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showpost.php?p=67370379&postcount=688)

.

According to CCAR C-FBBA belongs to Ken Borek Air and was indeed manufactured in 1969. As this is for inland tours and the otters are sturdy little planes I guess age is not a factor as long as they are maintained well.

Still I would have expected something better from UL.............

Yes, I added in the other thread: the Twotters in the world are quite old, but since they are not pressurised, and even with high cycles, as long as they are maintained well, can last much longer .. not to compare, an example of an old but well airworthy plane is the DC -3 - simply not being pressurised, it avoids the danger of high cycle pressurised planes, and have outlasted most of the jet brethren ..

the Twotters of TMA and MAT are too into their third decade.

Anyway, Viking has recommenced production of the Twotter - maybe we could see some new build twotters soon ..

MADURAI: Sri Lankan airlines officials held talks with Airport authorities here to explore possibilities of starting flight operations between Madurai and Colombo, officials said on Friday.

Madurai airport sources said officials, including Regional Manager (Tamilnadu and Karnataka) Samantha Naghawatte and Area Manager Ahamad Mazahim visited the terminal yesterday to know about the facilities available there. They also held talks with trave l agents here.

The Sri Lankan airlines would present a tentative schedule of operations to the Airports Authority of India for taking further action. It would be possible to start operations from April or May 2011, officials said.

At present, passengers to the Gulf and other countries preferred to fly from Tiruchirappalli as it is located in the heart of the state, officials said. - PTI


http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/blnus/27191420.htm

According to AASL web (http://www.airport.lk/flight-info/flight-schedule.php), Lankan Cargo now seems to be flying Bengaluru (on days : 1.3..6. - Freighter nr: 171/2), Chennai (on days : .2....7 - Freighter nr: 121/2), Malé (on days : .2....7 - Freighter nr: 101/2) and Trivandrum (on days : 1.3..6. - Freighter nr: 161/2). But AASL web states the airline name as : ITA Airlines and ICAO code as : IVN. IVN is actually belongs to Ivan Air (IVN) in Croatia. Does Lankan Cargo has website for them self ? or contact details ?

The flights are operated by Ivoirienne de Transports Aériens whose IATA code is I3. What I find interesting is that they use exactly UL numbers.

Thanks KFlyer. I am surprised too as LankanCargo has used the exactly the same UL flight numbers. Any idea whats the 4R reg of LankanCargo-B727F. One more thing, AASL web (http://www.airport.lk/flight-info/flight-schedule.php) is showing that Kingfisher Airlines is flying Bengaluru flights from Colombo ? Is it correct ? But Kingfisher website (http://www.flykingfisher.com/plan-book/schedule.aspx) has only Chennai to Colombo flight schedule.

Mihin Lanka shows Ahmedabad in the route map (http://www.mihinlanka.com/destinations.htm#). But no flight schedule (http://www.mihinlanka.com/flight-schedule.htm).

SriLankan has launched the web for SriLankanCanada. www.srilankanca.com (http://www.srilankanca.com/). It appears to be SriLankan is a bit serious on launching Toronto flights. Hopefully Moscow also will be launch soon and after Sydney.

SriLankan has launched the web for SriLankanCanada. www.srilankanca.com (http://www.srilankanca.com/). It appears to be SriLankan is a bit serious on launching Toronto flights. Hopefully Moscow also will be launch soon and after Sydney.

It would be nice if they could do a direct Toronto-Colombo flight.
Or maybe a New York-Toronto-Colombo flight.

banuthev, srilankanca.com has long existed. Ticket office YYZ dates back to 2005. I won't be suprised if MOW comes online foremost. YYZ still is a distant possibility, although they are apparently hard working on it. MEL is believed to be the likely candidate, although it'll be one very hard to break even flight. While I'd love to see them at all of these places, their profits are a concern to me.
I too noticed IT63.

As flights are operated under ITA code ( Although I'm not sure how this is possible since they have no AOC here. It won't be suprising if IVN turns out to be Lankan Cargo ICAO code. ), there's no need for a 4R reg.

It would be nice if they could do a direct Toronto-Colombo flight.
Or maybe a New York-Toronto-Colombo flight.

Direct YYZ-CMB ?? I too would like to dream .. if only there was enough yield .. :D

RML is going to be upgraded to an International Airport. Runway to be extended towards the Bellanwila marsh.

Heard this first hand from someone who is connected to the govt. planning aparatus.

Direct YYZ-CMB ?? I too would like to dream .. if only there was enough yield .. :D

...and a capable aircraft in UL fleet!

@cayman @ecurelix 343, 332 are capable to operate direct YYZ. Even the 320, although they'll have to stop at SNN, KEF as well as Gander too. :-)

@cayman @ecurelix 343, 332 are capable to operate direct YYZ. Even the 320, although they'll have to stop at SNN, KEF as well as Gander too. :-)

Direct YYZ-CMB ? :confused:

As for the Tech-stops - they are academically possible, but business-wise NO-NO .. unless they are uplifting enough cargo ..

Anyway UL should know what's best ..

@ecurelix you've mistaken direct and nonstop. :-)
A UL flight to YYZ with a LGW stop, will still be direct.

@ecurelix you've mistaken direct and nonstop. :-)
A UL flight to YYZ with a LGW stop, will still be direct.

I know of an Asian carrier that flies off such a route - the only reason they are landing in YYZ is simply because of the cost of crew stop in the inter-mediate stop - and the 30% of so yield with third freedom just about covers the hop over the south of the border to north of the border .. and not much - and the destination in YYZ fits nicely with their return flight back home ..

Anyway, UL should have numbers to work out the feasibility ..

I know of an Asian carrier that flies off such a route - the only reason they are landing in YYZ is simply because of the cost of crew stop in the inter-mediate stop - and the 30% of so yield with third freedom just about covers the hop over the south of the border to north of the border .. and not much - and the destination in YYZ fits nicely with their return flight back home ..

Anyway, UL should have numbers to work out the feasibility ..

It would be nice if UL starts YYZ service, but from operational point of view, they may need to dedicate at least one aircraft for the service. If they have A345, I think it may be possible to fly direct, but probably with a lower take-off weight. Considering crew turn around time and aircraft being away for longer hours, I doubt YYZ service before UL consolidating Europe, Asia and Australia. Traffic-wise, I am sure there will be enough since there is a large Sri Lankan community in Canada who would love to get on to UL flight from YYZ. Also if you see amount of food coming to Toronto from Sri Lanka (from jack fruit seed to sunlight soap, UL will not have much problem of filling the CMB - YYZ sector at all. Air India, Jet Airways and PIA from the subcontinent has flights to YYZ via stopover in Europe. Also recently AI started Delhi - YYZ direct service with 772

It would be nice if UL starts YYZ service, but from operational point of view, they may need to dedicate at least one aircraft for the service. If they have A345, I think it may be possible to fly direct, but probably with a lower take-off weight. Considering crew turn around time and aircraft being away for longer hours, I doubt YYZ service before UL consolidating Europe, Asia and Australia. Traffic-wise, I am sure there will be enough since there is a large Sri Lankan community in Canada who would love to get on to UL flight from YYZ. Also if you see amount of food coming to Toronto from Sri Lanka (from jack fruit seed to sunlight soap, UL will not have much problem of filling the CMB - YYZ sector at all. Air India, Jet Airways and PIA from the subcontinent has flights to YYZ via stopover in Europe. Also recently AI started Delhi - YYZ direct service with 772

Maybe UL shouldve got Kingfishers A345s without procrastinating. Now these aircraft are with Hifly/Air Zimbabwe & Arik Air. These aircraft have spectacular interiors. That said, they may have been fairly costly to run since it wouldve also introduced a new type of engine into the fleet (as well as consuming a lot of petrol).

Also it looks like there is a new Minister of Civil Aviation:
http://www.dailynews.lk/2010/11/23/pol00.asp
http://print.dailymirror.lk/news/front-page-news/27959.html

However I doubt there will be many changes to UL since the chairman is appointed by the president himself.

Also Mihin and UL are recieving tax concessions for the next 10 years, and will increase its fleet to 30 by 2012:
http://www.dailynews.lk/2010/11/23/bus04.asp
http://www.dailymirror.lk/index.php/news/7917-tax-exemption-for-airlines.html

If they have A345, I think it may be possible to fly direct, but probably with a lower take-off weight.


That's the death ringer for ULH services - the planes have to uplift so much fuel that the useful load drops to bare minimum .. Eg: SQ A345s - supposedly being able to carry 300 pax, started with 180 mixed class, and ended up becoming 100 Business class .. and EK ending up deploying them in medium range routes with full interior fit .. (after all, they paid for it, and they can't sell it as nobody wants it .. )

And Thai having got stuck with it's 345s (it was a face saving measure - as TG wanted to emulate SQ's ULH model and it didn't work .. ) and AC dumping it's A345s .

Nah - everybody loves a 345 - but it only fits an airline that is flush with excess money and / or needs capacity / or enough traffic to justify deploying it .. TAM took over some 345s as they had virtually 90% and above loads where they deployed them, and Arik - nobody knows, but it is a wet lease. As for Air Zimbabwe- it is a nice smoke - but seems that's it ..
Air India, Jet Airways and PIA from the subcontinent has flights to YYZ via stopover in Europe. Also recently AI started Delhi - YYZ direct service with 772

AI, 9W and PK all are carriers who have much more dedicated traffic, and as for AI, they pulled out some other routes and are still experimenting with the 77Ls ..

PK - had to uplift so much fuel that the plane become so uneconomical, and again another case of ULH gear being deployed in medium range ..

Not a naysayer, but UL should strengthen regional routes, focus on niche markets, and work on alliances for everything else. Prestigiously flying the flag doesn't feed people :D

Above are my 0.02$ worth opinion ..

Maybe UL shouldve got Kingfishers A345s without procrastinating. Now these aircraft are with Hifly/Air Zimbabwe & Arik Air. These aircraft have spectacular interiors. That said, they may have been fairly costly to run since it wouldve also introduced a new type of engine into the fleet (as well as consuming a lot of petrol).

Not just costly, but extremely thirsty and makes no sense unless you are on to extended over-water operations - hell, a lot of airlines flying 747s and 343s on long over water ops would happily have dumped them if not for the 4 engine for safety thing .. :D :D

Arik - is seemingly thriving due to some gung-ho investors .. and for Air Zimbabwe - yah .. what was that ?? :D

I really don't understand you guys' point. UL is nowhere near to launch YYZ. Even if they do, why would they need a 345 to fly direct ? The 332 will do fine. And there's sufficient traffic for UL. But it doesn't mean you'll have enough yield to break even on the route. If they do right, they can make it work. But on any case, MOW is set to come online before.

The best way for UL to operate YYZ (if at all they absolutely need to) would be to extend the LHR flight with fifth freedom rights between LHR and YYZ.

Operating one or two A345s would be prohibitively expensive and there really is no need for a Non-stop.

The best way for UL to operate YYZ (if at all they absolutely need to) would be to extend the LHR flight with fifth freedom rights between LHR and YYZ.

Operating one or two A345s would be prohibitively expensive and there really is no need for a Non-stop.

Thing is, wouldnt UL need new aircraft in order to expand capacity for these expansion plans? As it is they would need to find 3 newer A343s to replace their older aircraft, and there are hardly any A332s (with RR engines especially) on the market. So what aircraft should they get?

Cayman, they are not interested in operating nonstop. It'll be LGW. Though, ZRH remains the best choice.
Lordvader, the next two 320s will enable one long haul route. But from what I've heard, MOW comes first.

Cayman, they are not interested in operating nonstop. It'll be LGW. Though, ZRH remains the best choice.
Lordvader, the next two 320s will enable one long haul route. But from what I've heard, MOW comes first.

Are they plan to operate A320 on long haul ?.

ceylon, no but by freeing up the widebodies currently on short-haul routes.

Cayman, they are not interested in operating nonstop. It'll be LGW. Though, ZRH remains the best choice.


Are you saying that UL will start operating out of both LHR and LGW?

Does not make sense!

ceylon, no but by freeing up the widebodies currently on short-haul routes.

Yup, they really should expedite this.

They are (ab)using good A332s on short haul routes.

SriLankan is utilising A332/343s are to only Chennai and Malé in the shorthaul, rest of the shorthaul routes are being served by A320s. Both of the Chennai and Malé routes are profitable, if widebodies removed, additional frequencies must needs to be increased to cover the capacity.

1st Feb 2011 onwards SriLankan is re-introducing point-to-point flights between Colombo and Bahrain (3 weekly) , Doha (5 weekly) and Muscat (2 weekly) using A320s.

@ Cayman - Probably SriLankan could not get more landing slots in London (LHR) so they are planning to increase London flights by launching Gatwick.

.

@Cayman Re LGW. Not me, the Chairman says.

@banu,

I have managed to keep my visits to the 'little island off the cost of France' deliberately brief, so I am not very familiar of the set up there. But isn't the South Asian community (main catchment base of UL) concentrated around the Hounslow area, which is just a stone throw away from LHR, which also has direct tube access?

If I am not mistaken, LGW is a good 50-60 mins from LHR and is a bit of a dump (like EWR). I have only flown out of LGW once on US airways to CLT and it was a less than bearable experience.

If UL is to operate a second base in London area, it will cost them an extra fortune.

@Cayman... If I may add .. There's a fair amount of South Asians around Tooting as well - S London, also around E London - Ilford and thereabouts.

Still I agree LGW is an expensive option, given that LHR has better connections to North America as well.

SriLankan AirTaxi - C-FBBA arrived in Colombo (CMB) on 26th November 2010, evening. Pictures (http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showpost.php?p=67887579&postcount=691).

SriLankan 4R-ABK (http://oi55.tinypic.com/2lniqo9.jpg) will be in Colombo (CMB) on the 1st Dec 2010 on a 6 years lease.

@ Kflyer - SriLankan may start a Moscow flights before June 2011 once the 3 x brand-new A320-214s joined the fleet. Did SriLankan has confirmed which Moscow airport to fly ? Sheremetyevo or Domodedovo ? Which aircraft is likely fly the Moscow flights ? Good thing is Sri Lanka and the Maldives are the best holiday destinations for Russians so SriLankan will get enough pax on this sector. However already 3 or 4 Russian Air-charters are operating to Malé (http://www.airports.com.mv/), So do you think it could be a threat for SriLankan's upcoming Moscow flights ? Also Tell me about Sri Lanka - Russia Air-Bilateral Agreement ? How many maximum flights could operate between these countries ? Sorry to ask too many questions :o)

@Banuthev They might probably have finalized it, but the info is not public. However I believe they might operate to DME. The route indeed is a bit of a challenge, but can be made successful. Charter airlines will always have their share given that most of their flights are filled by tour operators. The bilateral dates back to 1995, but the content is not public. However I believe at least three weekly flights will be allowed.
And only one brand new 320 is confirmed, due around June.

With MLE now under GMR control, there's a bit of a challenge in it itself.

ABK EIS seems to have been pushed back.

http://www.ge.com/thegeshow/flight/index.html#ch1

Sharing a cool video link posted on YYC forum..

@ Kflyer - Thanks. I managed to find this Sri Lanka Air-Bileteral Agreement on the internet. It does not show how many maximum-flights can be operated to the countries. Bilateral Agreement (http://www.caa.lk/pdf/bilateral.pdf). BTW Is Moscow going to be a nonstop flight ?

C-FBBA is a wet-leased aircraft. Does anybody know how long she will be in Sri Lanka ?

Aeroplanes at Colombo (CMB). Latest Pictures (http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showpost.php?p=68093561&postcount=696) ...

SriLankan to increase fleet
Wednesday, 01 December 2010 02:17

By Kelum Bandara and Yohan Perera

SriLankan Airlines will purchase six new airbus aircraft by June next year as part of the re-fleeting plans to increase the number of aircraft to 30, Civil Aviation Minister Priyankara Jayaratne said in Parliament yesterday.

Besides, the Minister said negotiations were now underway to seek the possibility of starting flights to destinations in Canada and Ukraine.

He said the weekly flights to European destinations would also be increased.

Mr. Jayaratne said ‘Mihin Lanka’, the budget airline would acquire its second aircraft shortly, and begin flights to new destinations in Indonesia, Maldives and Bangladesh.

http://print.dailymirror.lk/news/news/28705.html

I think the reporter thinks Moscow is in Ukraine LOL!

Mihin lanka gonna start DAC service from tomorrow. Right ?

:cheers:

Checkout the new http://www.srilankan.aero website.
Its very nice.

Checkout the new http://www.srilankan.aero website.
Its very nice.

Thanks for the heads up! It looks nice and is better than the old one but at the same time it looks incomplete (or is it just me). In any case good on them for finally updating the site.

Also a new mobile version http://mobile.srilankan.aero

Thanks for the heads up! It looks nice and is better than the old one but at the same time it looks incomplete (or is it just me). In any case good on them for finally updating the site.

Exactly, that's what I thought too. I thought when it first loaded that it's one of those sites that you go to when you make a spelling error in the website name lol, I was shocked. But after looking closely, it looks pretty well organized. It just needs to have more visuals, it will help it look more attractive.. One thing I definitely like is the new route map!!

SriLankan Website (http://www.srilankan.aero/) looks nice ... especially Travel Planner and Routemap sections are really improved. I hope you all noticed SriLankan AirTaxi website (http://www.srilankan.aero/airtaxi/) is now closed as all the information are available on the main-site. I wonder why they did not open the Guangzhou Flight Booking on the main-site, when Amadeus has open the Sri Lankan's Guangzhou Flight Booking on the 28th November 2010.

SriLankan is increasing Colombo - Karachi flights from 3 to 4 weekly from the 6th December 2010. What happened to the SriLankan's plans of flying Lahore via Delhi ? Also I heard Pakistan President Asif Ali Zardari plans to start PIA Pakistan (PK) flights to Colombo. Not sure when. Does anybody have more info ...

Mihin lanka gonna start DAC service from tomorrow. Right ?

:cheers:

Should happen but anything is possible. Anyone else have a clue? Best way to find out would be to have a spotter at Dhaka to take pics.

SriLankan Website (http://www.srilankan.aero/) looks nice ... especially Travel Planner and Routemap sections are really improved. I hope you all noticed SriLankan AirTaxi website (http://www.srilankan.aero/airtaxi/) is now closed as all the information are available on the main-site. I wonder why they did not open the Guangzhou Flight Booking on the main-site, when Amadeus has open the Sri Lankan's Guangzhou Flight Booking on the 28th November 2010.

SriLankan is increasing Colombo - Karachi flights from 3 to 4 weekly from the 6th December 2010. What happened to the SriLankan's plans of flying Lahore via Delhi ? Also I heard Pakistan President Asif Ali Zardari plans to start PIA Pakistan (PK) flights to Colombo. Not sure when. Does anybody have more info ...

I also red the news in Pakistan forum and a Pakistan news channel..

"Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) will resume flights for Colombo, Sri Lanka, by March 2011, according to statement of Pakistan's Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi's quoted by Pakistani news channels.

The Foreign Minister's statement was talking to media on relations between Pakistan and Sri Lanka."

http://airlines.einnews.com/news.php?wid=327456507

UL new website is definitely a better improvement. My only comment is still flight information section is hidden way down. They should have another tab next to "book a flight", "Manage booking", "Check-in" as "flight status".

Also they are doing something I never seen in any other airline. For each flight they have estimated arrival and actual arrival (or departure). This looks very nice because all the flights are just few minutes off from arrival and on time for departure. But the reality is estimated time is not the scheduled time. To me this is very childish way to hide the delays related issues. I think UL is doing good job with on time performance, so they should change this.

On the other hand, airport.lk should have real time flight info by now. These things are basics in today's world.

SriLankan Website (http://www.srilankan.aero/) looks nice ... especially Travel Planner and Routemap sections are really improved. I hope you all noticed SriLankan AirTaxi website (http://www.srilankan.aero/airtaxi/) is now closed as all the information are available on the main-site.


My 2 cents- atleast they should have done a re-direct back to the main page instead of showing a "404 error" :(

I think UL is doing good job with on time performance, .........

I don't think so.

As per what I have seen and heard, they have plunged back to the 'Air Lanka days' with mass flight delays and cancellations.

I don't think so.

As per what I have seen and heard, they have plunged back to the 'Air Lanka days' with mass flight delays and cancellations.

Atleast the CMB-SIN-KUL-CMB flights are known to be half an hour to 2 hours delayed .. :D

Oops.... sorry guys. I am in the other end of the world, but I did track few UL flights lately for my friends/family members for their connections in LHR and FRA, and they were on time. It looks like the situation is worse. Do they publish their on time performance?

I just checked Flighstats data and now I do agree with my friends.

Only CMB - BLR has 92% on time rating, all others are way below. Male - LHR - only 39%, CMB - LHR - 73%, CMB - FRA - 57%.

But still they should change "estimated /actual" gag from the website and report scheduled/estimated departure and arrival times.

Awards
SriLankan has consistently achieved very high marks for excellence, especially in polls of global travellers. The awards include:


•World's Friendliest Cabin Staff - Skytrax
•First Runner-up for World's Best Cabin Staff - Skytrax
•Best Airline in Central Asia (4 consecutive times) - Skytrax
•Best Airline in South Asia (3 consecutive times) from Travel Trade Gazette
•World's Most Reliable Operator of Airbus A330's (small fleet) by Airbus Industrie
•World's Most Reliable Operator of Airbus A340's (small fleet) by Airbus Industrie
•Best Overall In-flight Entertainment (for a fleet size of 20 or less), twice - World Airline Entertainment Association
•Best Airline Turnaround of the Year 2004 - Centre for Asia Pacific Aviation
•Galileo Indian Express Award for Best Eastbound International Airline
•Foreign Carrier of the Year (South Asia sector) - Kuala Lumpur International Airport Awards
•Runner-up for Best Asian Airline in survey by UK's Daily Telegraph
•Imperial Mark in recognition of exceptional levels of service, luxury and quality
•PATA Gold Award 2007 for Best Airline Marketing Campaign
•Airline of the Year 2008 and 2009 - Sri Lanka Presidential Travel & Tourism Awards


What happened after 2009........ :lol::lol:

Oh We bacame a 3 star Airline (Previously 4 star)..... A big reward for Rajapassa and co:nuts:

I don't think so.

As per what I have seen and heard, they have plunged back to the 'Air Lanka days' with mass flight delays and cancellations.

Cayman, you are right, but the situation isn't as bad as it sounds.
the two main reasons for delays has been a shortage of pilots (some flights recently had to be cancelled due to this) and some issues UL seem to be having delaing with ground handling / maintainance staff. from what i heard recently, they seem to be on track to resolving these.

Cayman, you are right, but the situation isn't as bad as it sounds.
the two main reasons for delays has been a shortage of pilots (some flights recently had to be cancelled due to this) and some issues UL seem to be having delaing with ground handling / maintainance staff. from what i heard recently, they seem to be on track to resolving these.

Yes hopefully they will solve these problems out and keep on expanding. They have some decent plans so hopefully they'll actually be implemented properly without any interference.

Please find the picture of 4R-ULE in the Abu Dhabi Aircraft Storage. Link. (http://www.airsrilanka.org/forum/?p=3#comment-7)







.

Please find the picture of 4R-ULE in the Abu Dhabi Aircraft Storage. Link. (http://www.airsrilanka.org/forum/?p=3#comment-7)





.

Hmmm.... this is not storage.....more closer to bone yard or scrap metal.... what a sad way to go...but for UL, these tristars were nice memories. I have been on the cockpit of these about 4 times and they were very old style compared to 330/340 cockpits.

Still once in a while a Royal Air Force (UK) tristar flies to Calgary carrying troops for NATO training.

The reviews UL has got on Skytrax are APPALLING. They're just so horrible, I wouldn't be surprised if they get downgraded further to a two-class rating. When is it going to come back to the airline that we loved?

http://www.airlinequality.com/Forum/sri_lan.htm

I'm sorry but doesn't MR realize that he's ruining the reputation of the national airline? This is the SECOND time he's done it, and LHR is a flagship route for UL. Additionally, it seems like UL ground staff need to be totally retrained, especially those at places like LHR because of their attitude.

(RANT OVER) :)

The reviews UL has got on Skytrax are APPALLING. They're just so horrible, I wouldn't be surprised if they get downgraded further to a two-class rating. When is it going to come back to the airline that we loved?

http://www.airlinequality.com/Forum/sri_lan.htm

I'm sorry but doesn't MR realize that he's ruining the reputation of the national airline? This is the SECOND time he's done it, and LHR is a flagship route for UL. Additionally, it seems like UL ground staff need to be totally retrained, especially those at places like LHR because of their attitude.

(RANT OVER) :)

Well said...... older air crafts, older seats, dated IFEs can be excused but not the attitude, addressing customer issues, changing plans for politicians..etc....

RJ increases more Colombo Flights. Link. (http://www.airsrilanka.org/forum/?p=3#comment-11)

4R-ABK in Colombo. Link. (http://www.airsrilanka.org/forum/?p=3#comment-9)





.

http://print.dailymirror.lk/news/news/28705.html

I think the reporter thinks Moscow is in Ukraine LOL!

Do we know the types of a/c that they gonna purchase??

4R-ABK pictures. Credits to : Rusiru and Longranger. Link. (http://www.airsrilanka.org/forum/?p=3#comment-15)





.

Latest news on Mihin MA60s; to be delivered in June 2011. Looks like SLAF order is not there anymore.

Quote:
Sri Lanka, meanwhile, has ordered two MA60s, on behalf its national carrier Mihin Lanka, and these are to be delivered in June, says the official. Sri Lanka has already signed a contract with Catic for the two aircraft but “Xian Aircraft has yet to sign with Catic”, adds the official. Catic is a government body that exports Chinese aircraft and military equipment.

Sri Lanka originally wanted to also order four MA60s for its air force but later decided against this, says the Xi’an Aircraft official.

http://www.aviationweek.com/aw/generic/story_channel.jsp?channel=AviationWeek.com&id=news/awx/2010/12/09/awx_12_09_2010_p0-275333.xml&headline=China%20Selling%20MA60s%20To%20Sri%20Lanka,%20Congo%20And%20Zimbabwe

Sri Lanka, meanwhile, has ordered two MA60s, on behalf its national carrier Mihin Lanka, and these are to be delivered in June, says the official. Sri Lanka has already signed a contract with Catic for the two aircraft but “Xian Aircraft has yet to sign with Catic”, adds the official. Catic is a government body that exports Chinese aircraft and military equipment.
>>
http://www.aviationweek.com/aw/generic/story_channel.jsp?channel=AviationWeek.com&id=news/awx/2010/12/09/awx_12_09_2010_p0-275333.xml&headline=China%20Selling%20MA60s%20To%20Sri%20Lanka,%20Congo%20And%20Zimbabwe

Chinese diplomacy - and push to get into the Civil aviation, using a product their own airliners don't want to fly ;) Sri Lanka, Congo, Zimbabwe ..

Anyway, I wonder where the planes will be flown to ? India ?? With the missing FAA / JAR certification ??

Will be for a loss making domestic operation. A miracle, if they can earn money flying domestically.

Will be for a loss making domestic operation. A miracle, if they can earn money flying domestically.

Isn't there huge demand for domestic flights such as Colombo - Jaffna for this type of service? or you point is corruption, use of this service by politicians and not paying bills, diversions/cancellations for political reasons etc.......

I agree that if they have much reputed small aircraft like Dash-8 compared to new Chinese aircraft with some safety concerns. On the other hand it is time for SL to have a good competitive domestic service.

Sri Lanka Aviation Forum Updates

http://www.airsrilanka.org/forum/?p=3#comment-18





.

@CalgaryLankan Not really a big demand. There is a big demand for bus travel though. The only demand that was left, got vanished following Helitours' entry. If what I hear is right, domestic operators are fighting hard with red ink.

http://www.dailynews.lk/2010/12/11/z_p-i-Ukraine.jpg

Ukraine International Airlines has expanded its international sales and marketing into Sri Lanka.

Discover the World Marketing operates a unique and truly global network consisting of 84 offices in more than 60 countries.

Regardless of size, Discover offers simple, manageable and effective solutions to fit any company's needs and budget. Discover The World Marketing's Sri Lanka network partner, Discover Sri Lanka is a subsidiary of the Hemas Group. "In anticipation of the launch of our new service from Kiev to Colombo via Abu Dhabi on December 12, we recognize the need to establish a market presence in Sri Lanka and actively promote and sell our new service," Ukraine International Airlines' Network Development Vice President Simon Bundle, said.

"We turned to Discover because they have been instrumental in the success of other international markets for us. We are confident they will be a good fit for us in Sri Lanka."

"Ukraine International Airlines continues to expand and we are proud to be a part of their development," said Discover the World Marketing CEO Jenny. "In addition to Sri Lanka, we are partners in Australia, the Baltics, China, Denmark, Finland, France, Hong Kong, Israel, Japan, Norway, South Africa, Sweden and Switzerland" Adams said.

Ukraine Airlines local office will be located at Hemas Building, York Street, Colombo 1.

The COK launch is delayed due to the late introduction of ABL, as opposed to what has been said in Banuthev's comment form.

Mihin Lanka starts flights to Dhaka
Star Business DeskMihin Lanka, a low-cost airline of Sri Lanka, started direct flights to Dhaka yesterday with Airbus A320 aircraft, said a statement.

The flights will be operated on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Sundays, the statement added.

The inaugural flight departed Colombo at 7:30am with 150 passengers and arrived in Dhaka at 11:25am. Later it left Dhaka at 12:25pm with 103 passengers and reached back home at 3:05pm.

Sarath K Weragoda, Sri Lankan high commissioner, and Mizanur Rahman and Kazi Zahurul Qyyum, directors for Wings Aviation Ltd, general sales agent of Mihin Lanka in Bangladesh, welcomed the inaugural flight's passengers.

C Munasinge, first secretary and head of chancery of Sri Lankan high commission, was also present.

The Airbus A320 is configured with 177 all economy class seats.

To celebrate the launch, the airline offers a special fare for Dhaka-Colombo-Dhaka route of $449 and Dhaka-Colombo-Male-Colombo-Dhaka of $506, inclusive of all taxes.

Mihin Lanka is the second airline owned by the government of Sri Lanka besides SriLankan, the flagship carrier.

Though the airline operates on low-cost carrier concept with single configuration -- all economy class -- it also offers meals in flight. Duty-free items are also sold on board.

Mihin Lanka started operations on April 24, 2007 with a flight to Dubai in UAE. Its international flights start at Bandaranaike International Airport.

What is going on with Srilankan Airtaxi service? Is the entire project completely on hold? Is the A/C fitted with floats? Is the protest only limited to Negambo lagoon?

@CalgaryLankan protest is limited to Negombo. It was never scheduled to operate to Negombo anyway. I believe the project will go on. It can nevertheless land on runways while equipped with floats, right ?

Aircraft handled by the Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) has increased by 16 percent recording 24,584 operations during the period January to September this year compared to 21,106 movements in corresponding period of 2009. A Ports and Aviation Ministry's Spokesman said this is due to the booming of the aviation industry and the gradual pick up of air traffic indicators from the second half of 2009 in the aftermath of the humanitarian operations.

Therefore, the existing runway and taxiways in the BIA will be widened to cater to the Airbus A380, a new larger aircraft model in the world. The revenue and profits of Airport and Aviation Services (Sri Lanka) Limited (AASL) too have increased due to the increase of aircraft movements at the BIA.

He further said that the forecast aircraft movements for 2010 is 33,423.

It is planned to develop the aviation industry to cater to more airbus aircraft considering the growth of the tourist traffic after dawn of peace to the country.

@CalgaryLankan protest is limited to Negombo. It was never scheduled to operate to Negombo anyway. I believe the project will go on. It can nevertheless land on runways while equipped with floats, right ?

From the Twotters I saw, they can only beach, but not land on tarmac ..

The Otters can be kitted with the amphi-float .. and so do the Caravans - the other preferred swim-plane

Maybe I am wrong ..

From the Twotters I saw, they can only beach, but not land on tarmac ..

The Otters can be kitted with the amphi-float .. and so do the Caravans - the other preferred swim-plane

Maybe I am wrong ..

From the info I have from Kenn Borek, the Twotter will be fitted with floats but not amphibian floats. It was supposed to fly to Koggala (the most convenient tarmac with water access) to fit the floats and after that it will only land in water. Also the dock behind the Airport Garden hotel was the planned main hub to operate the aircraft including the night park location/repair workshop. With latest developments, plans can change.

Is the A/c still in UL hanger? any UL insider in the forum?

Originally I thought airport code "CMB" for Air Taxi service meant this dock behind the Airport Garden Hotel.

The two Otters UL operated themselves ( ARA&ARB ) were fitted with amphibian floats and flew from CMB itself and also operated to RML and JAF. IMHO, this could have been the best option. Perhaps the 40yr old frame is not compatible with amphibian floats ?

http://oi51.tinypic.com/10h3dbq.jpg

Transit passengers at the Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) Katunayake have the convenience and luxury of refreshing and rejuvenating themselves at the recently opened Serenediva Transit Hotel. Situated inside the Airport's Arrival/Departure area, it is in close proximity to the immigration counters, duty free shops, cafes and lounges.

The 24-roomed hotel on the second level, above the main pier of the BIA terminal building, offers four types of rooms. They include rooms priced in six-hourly blocks from single (US$35), double (US$ 40), triple and family twin-rooms (US$45) plus a 15% Airport and Aviation levy. With a full-fledged Business Centre, the rooms are equipped with satellite TV with a flight information channel; IDD telephone, complimentary tea/coffee, Wi Fi high speed Internet access, A/C, Laundry and Dry Cleaning, express check-in and check out facilities and 24-hour room service.

http://aboutcolombo.lk/tourists/article.php?l=Serenediva%20Transit%20Hotel

The rooms include eight top of the range Super Deluxe with kumbuk flooring, mahogany furniture, and a bathtub for a long relaxing soak. There are also four deluxe rooms which are double rooms intended for families. The eight Deluxe-A rooms contain double beds, while the eight Deluxe-B rooms are equipped with single beds for lone travellers. Each type of room has an attached bathroom with sophisticated fittings equipped with a flat-screen TV, which has among its many channels a Flight Information Screen so guests can see the status of their onward flight at the touch of a button, instead of having to call and find out. There are also eight Shower Rooms – four for men and four for women – for travellers who only wish to refresh themselves, and not stay on. Plus a snacks and coffee counter in the reception area, so guests don’t need to go out to grab a quick bite.

http://www.thebottomline.lk/2010/09/19/page22.html

The two Otters UL operated themselves ( ARA&ARB ) were fitted with amphibian floats and flew from CMB itself and also operated to RML and JAF. IMHO, this could have been the best option. Perhaps the 40yr old frame is not compatible with amphibian floats ?

Unless the rare few, you can't find anything newer than 30 plus years, when it comes to Twotters ..

The frame has nothing to do with it- if I remember, the weight distribution created a mess on the Twotter, and the safe operations limited to landing on water and beaching themselves, instead of true amphib ops ..

Bandaranaike International Airport to undergo expansion in Sri Lanka
Published: 17-Dec-2010
Bandaranaike International Airport, Sri Lanka's only international airport, will commence the second phase of expansion project in 2012 to increase the capacity of airport facilities.


The $350 million expansion scheme will include widening of the existing runway and taxiways to accommodate large Airbus A380 aircraft. The scheme has been designed to double the airport's passenger handling capacity to 12 million each year. Cargo handling capacity will also be enhanced to 500,000m from the existing 250,000m.

Other works involved in the expansion scheme are construction of a new passenger terminal building. This new building will separate passenger arrivals and departures.

A new pier with eight boarding gates, 14 passenger boarding bridges with a dedicated gate comprising two passenger boarding bridges for A380 operations will also be added as part of

the plan is for them to close BIA for construction, diverting all traffic to Hambantota. Once BIA is ready, it'll reopen for operations.

^^
How sure are you of this information?

Don't get me wrong, I am not disputing what you are saying. But this does not look like a very sane idea.

now if only they could add a secondary runway to BIA .. wouldn't that be a great start ??

All it needs, as of now, is one of the many flying wrecks to scram at the middle of the runway .... :D :D

Ooops - who calling the kettle black ??

^^
How sure are you of this information?

Don't get me wrong, I am not disputing what you are saying. But this does not look like a very sane idea.

an internal source that i cannot quote :/

however, do not expect this to happen until atleast the end of next year if not 2012. Hambantota is now not being developed in phases (the first phase was meant to have just two aerobridges), but full scale. However i think its still going to have just one runway.

^^
How sure are you of this information?

Don't get me wrong, I am not disputing what you are saying. But this does not look like a very sane idea.

Since this is Sri Lanka, you need not be suprised. And since you can't swim, air travel will be needed. There are highways, but only inside the Southern province. So, say you're travelling from Kandy - welcome to a new world of departing home at 6pm for a daytime flight the following day.

LOL they should at least extend the Southern Expressway and Railway to Hambantota before even attempting this. Hopefully they will redo the existing terminal as well (especially the arrivals shopping complex and floor in the old part) which is starting to look a tad dated (although not too bad still).

LOL they should at least extend the Southern Expressway and Railway to Hambantota before even attempting this. Hopefully they will redo the existing terminal as well (especially the arrivals shopping complex and floor in the old part) which is starting to look a tad dated (although not too bad still).

As far as I am aware the 126km Southern expressway is being built to Pinnaduwa near Matara. It's an additional 65km to Hambantota.

This supposed plan to close BIA doesn't make sense and is highly improbable IMHO. The planning for Stage 2 Phase 2 of the BIA expansion was completed in 2009 and nowhere was there anything about closing BIA for the expansion.

http://oi54.tinypic.com/2qvthlu.jpg

As far as I am aware the 126km Southern expressway is being built to Pinnaduwa near Matara. It's an additional 65km to Hambantota.

This supposed plan to close BIA doesn't make sense and is highly improbable IMHO. The planning for Stage 2 Phase 2 of the BIA expansion was completed in 2009 and nowhere was there anything about closing BIA for the expansion.



BIA will not be closed permanently...just for the year or two it takes to renovate it.

BIA will not be closed permanently...just for the year or two it takes to renovate it.

Even that is a bad move. It would seriously jeopardise Colombo's chance of becoming a regional hub. Also would anyone seriously want to travel 6hrs from Hambantota to Colombo (or Kandy or anywhere else)? I could see tourism plummeting if this move was to take place.

They shouldve just built a new greenfield airport for Colombo and shut BIA down permanently (instead of refurbishing the airport), if they need to shut it down for a year.

They could also build a all new separate terminal at BIA and once it opens, close the current one and refurbish it completely making the current one the Srilankan Airlines terminal (and the new terminal for all other airlines).

In any case, construction of the BIA expansion project is set to commence sometime in the first half of next year. We will see what really happens.

Even that is a bad move. It would seriously jeopardise Colombo's chance of becoming a regional hub. Also would anyone seriously want to travel 6hrs from Hambantota to Colombo (or Kandy or anywhere else)? I could see tourism plummeting if this move was to take place.

They shouldve just built a new greenfield airport for Colombo and shut BIA down permanently (instead of refurbishing the airport), if they need to shut it down for a year.

The kind of tourists we attract rarely spend time in Colombo, unless of course (yah- it is the truth) the high spending Indians, who descend into Colombo on shopping sprees ..

Well, the rest of the people - living in Kandy and Colombo will have to learn that the wind blew to the south .. :D

The kind of tourists we attract rarely spend time in Colombo, unless of course (yah- it is the truth) the high spending Indians, who descend into Colombo on shopping sprees ..

Well, the rest of the people - living in Kandy and Colombo will have to learn that the wind blew to the south .. :D

I don't think they can sell that to other airlines with the exception of UL who has no choice. How many would want to serve a place that doesn't have any decent crew accomodation nearby? This is not like shifting the airport from Ratmalana to Katunayake.....

Been a silent follower of this thread for years; and this is the biggest lie I read here...people get this straight....BIA is not going to close temporarily. The expansions will go on but closing down is not even considered as a distant option...

Whoever claims he has concreate info on this regard, please be polite enough to quote your source; (I doubt u even have a source) please please please dont spred rumors.....

I don't think they can sell that to other airlines with the exception of UL who has no choice. How many would want to serve a place that doesn't have any decent crew accomodation nearby? This is not like shifting the airport from Ratmalana to Katunayake.....

Thinking aloud - actually how many airlines do really do crew stopoevers in Sri Lanka, despite the much hype that prevails ?? :D :D

Thinking aloud - actually how many airlines do really do crew stopoevers in Sri Lanka, despite the much hype that prevails ?? :D :D

:D Now that you mention it I can't think of any off the top of my head. I suppose any European airline coming from further east would have a stop over, but all the airlines I can think of from that region have stopped services to SL.... :D (I have seen parked Aeroflot aircraft looooong time back). Probably someone else can enlighten us on this.

Not having a crew rest was just a small example, you really can't go about ordering international airlines to go to a place where there is hardly any basic facilities\infrastructure which they don't have a business case to justify flying to. Its a bit like being asked to fly to Siberia because Moscow needs to be closed for renovations (I know not the best comparision, but you get the gist of it).

guys lets not waste our time on this baseless lie...anyone who has a basic understanding of aviation industry will realize this is a white lie...

Not having a crew rest was just a small example, you really can't go about ordering international airlines to go to a place where there is hardly any basic facilities\infrastructure which they don't have a business case to justify flying to. Its a bit like being asked to fly to Siberia because Moscow needs to be closed for renovations (I know not the best comparision, but you get the gist of it).

I wouldn't think it as that harsh - after all, the it is just going to be a few extra hours of travelling for the WP / CP people ..

As of now, those in Kandy almost spend 3 to 4 hour to reach the airpot - nah - as long as they can get the facilities in place it wouldn't matter

When Bangalore's new aiport opened, 40 km away from the city compared to the previous HAL airport at 12 KM from the city, people whined, but got used to it ..

guys lets not waste our time on this baseless lie...anyone who has a basic understanding of aviation industry will realize this is a white lie...

mate - relax- with one runway, BIA will not have much choice other than a shutdown .. maybe somebody knows something better ..

Unless the second runway is built or the taxi way stretched and strengthened ...

guys lets not waste our time on this baseless lie...anyone who has a basic understanding of aviation industry will realize this is a white lie...

How do you know that it is a baseless lie? Are you a government official or something? If so please share some future plans regarding Sri Lankan aviation. :)

How do you know that it is a baseless lie? Are you a government official or something? If so please share some future plans regarding Sri Lankan aviation. :)

Shutting down CMB even for few months, will have lot of repercussions. If they do it, it will be only a political decision to please Mahinda. Lets hope that this will not happen.

Shutting down CMB even for few months, will have lot of repercussions. If they do it, it will be only a political decision to please Mahinda. Lets hope that this will not happen.

On the big scheme of things, a temporary shut down maybe a blessing - considering that the airport is virtually choking and is practically boxed in from any expansion on the 'Air Side'

And to strengthen the taxi way and possibly expanding the runway will need a shutdown - unless somebody can figure out a way to move the AF base out and re-do the taxiway as a runway and so and so .. wishful thinking from me ..

On the big scheme of things, a temporary shut down maybe a blessing - considering that the airport is virtually choking and is practically boxed in from any expansion on the 'Air Side'

And to strengthen the taxi way and possibly expanding the runway will need a shutdown - unless somebody can figure out a way to move the AF base out and re-do the taxiway as a runway and so and so .. wishful thinking from me ..

Wasn't the airforce base going to be moved someplace near Sigirya? I remember reading something in the SL papers those days.... Does anyone know whereabout KIA's proposed second runway is supposed to be located?

I guess if they complete the second runway before; the expansion would be more easier......

Wasn't the airforce base going to be moved someplace near Sigirya? I remember reading something in the SL papers those days.... Does anyone know whereabout KIA's proposed second runway is supposed to be located?

I guess if they complete the second runway before; the expansion would be more easier......

My Guess is - it is to do with the instrumentation and the runway length needed for fast-jet ops ..

Maybe they can start up the second runway like an island and then join it with the current ops - like in another country I saw - the primary and secondary are almost 2,000 meter apart - and parallel but staggered - and planes landing on the secondary cross the primary to reach the terminal building .. turns out they built the secondary with the intention of moving all ops to the other side of the airport and somebody decided to not to go with the plan ..

May work .. may not work - as long as the land can be cleared ..

You need not to close the airport for extending the runway shoulder. A close down will mean an obvious reduction of outbound local traffic. The biggest and greatest mistake they can ever do to Sri Lanka's aviation. This could've been ruled out as a baseless rumour had this country at least been India. I just hope it is a rumour..

How do you know that it is a baseless lie? Are you a government official or something? If so please share some future plans regarding Sri Lankan aviation. :)

You dont have to be a government official to see through that statement. Anyone whos got some common sense would understand Hambantota can not sustitute BIA for even a cpl of weeks. Its not only pessenger traffic we are talking about we have well establised cargo base in CMB. The supply chain for those will simply fail and lanka will be more or less isolated if this happens.

by the way I'm still pretty curious about his source; wikileaks???? ;)

You dont have to be a government official to see through that statement. Anyone whos got some common sense would understand Hambantota can not sustitute BIA for even a cpl of weeks. Its not only pessenger traffic we are talking about we have well establised cargo base in CMB. The supply chain for those will simply fail and lanka will be more or less isolated if this happens.

by the way I'm still pretty curious about his source; wikileaks???? ;)

Well as much as it doesnt make sense, I wouldnt be surprised if it is true. IMHO they could be thinking about it, but their will be a big backlash if it happens so I dont see the idea being fully implemented.

Anyway does anyone have interior pics of the new Mihin A321 or the new SriLankan A320 (ABK)?

You dont have to be a government official to see through that statement. Anyone whos got some common sense would understand Hambantota can not sustitute BIA for even a cpl of weeks. Its not only pessenger traffic we are talking about we have well establised cargo base in CMB. The supply chain for those will simply fail and lanka will be more or less isolated if this happens.

by the way I'm still pretty curious about his source; wikileaks???? ;)

People said 'never ever' for a few airport shifts - like BLR, BKK and CGK - but hey, it was done ..

As for cargo base - me too, despite all the hype, I am not convinced that cargo shippers will even notice - after all, compared to countries where you truck for days, it is only a few extra hours to the new airport - maybe I would say "go for it ..."

Anyone with an understanding of the business will say that this cannot be done - and it is not like moving HKG Kai Tak. Sri Lanka has quasi-nil quality roads. But, because this is Sri Lanka itself, one should not be surprised if it happens. This is an extremist patriots' nation, anything can be done.

@ Lordvader - The picture of 4R-MRC. Link (http://www.airsrilanka.org/forum/?p=3&cpage=2#comment-55). I have asked few people in MJ to share the interior pictures. I hope they will.







.

Several international travel retail operators are interested in the duty free business at Colombo's sole international airport gateway - Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) - with Alpha/Aldeasa's Orient Lanka contract set to expire at the Sri Lankan airport in May 2011.

Several are exploring setting up joint venture bids for the business, although no tender schedule has yet been formulated and the airport authority - Airport and Aviation Services (Sri Lanka) Ltd - could, of course, always decide to run the operation itself if it so wishes.

The last set of published sales figures for the operation from Aldeasa parent Autogrill showed annual sales from two shops running at $37m in 2007 and this level of sales will generate strong interest from other retailers, including those already established in the Indian sub-continent and especially following on from last year's restoration of peace from civil war in the country.

TOURISM RESURGENCE
This has led to a resurgence of tourism into the country - up around 46% against a low year in 2009 - which has also attracted the attention of many hotel groups to the country. UK visitors to Sri Lanka alone rose by 51% last month and the tourism authorities are hoping that the total number of tourists could touch around 0.6m for the first time in several years in 2010.

The total number of business, workers and transit passenger traffic at BIA in 2009 was 4,242, 356 and that compares with 4,642,831 in 2008, 4,898,891 in 2007 and 4,798,274 in 2006.

The duty free business at BIA is very strong in the arrivals shops, with workers returning from overseas postings traditionally strong customers.

EXPANSION PROGRAMME
As for the airport itself, design consultancy work has already been completed for a new 120,000sq m split level passenger terminal building - plus an additional pier - planned under Phase 2, Stage II of BIA's development project. This includes the construction of 14 Passenger Boarding Bridges and a remote apron. Construction is expected to commence in 2012 at an estimated cost of Rps.36bn ($320m) with completion set for 2016.

This will more than double the current floor area to 210,000sq m and annual passenger handling capacity at BIA to 12 million. Currently, BIA's passenger terminal building has a capacity of 6 million and a total floor area of 90,000sq m.

Revenue from rental and concessions to Airport and Aviation Services (Sri Lanka) made up 37% of the total turnover at BIA last year, with a 13% increase in rental income recorded when compared with 2008.

Meanwhile, Airport and Aviation Services (Sri Lanka) reports this month that work on the Hambantota International Airport project costing $209m has been stepped up in its stage one phased construction.

Hambantota will become its second international airport to operate in the country when it is completed in 2012, with a capacity to handle one million passengers a year. Airport and Aviation Services says that considering the economic development of southern region of Sri Lanka, it is forecasting 0.5m passengers will use the 10,000sq m Hambantota airport passenger terminal building by 2028.

--------------------------------------------------------------


(and more evidence that rumor of the supposed closing of CMB for a year or two is bunch of bull)

Several international travel retail operators are interested in the duty free business at Colombo's sole international airport gateway - Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) - with Alpha/Aldeasa's Orient Lanka contract set to expire at the Sri Lankan airport in May 2011.

Several are exploring setting up joint venture bids for the business, although no tender schedule has yet been formulated and the airport authority - Airport and Aviation Services (Sri Lanka) Ltd - could, of course, always decide to run the operation itself if it so wishes.

The last set of published sales figures for the operation from Aldeasa parent Autogrill showed annual sales from two shops running at $37m in 2007 and this level of sales will generate strong interest from other retailers, including those already established in the Indian sub-continent and especially following on from last year's restoration of peace from civil war in the country.

TOURISM RESURGENCE
This has led to a resurgence of tourism into the country - up around 46% against a low year in 2009 - which has also attracted the attention of many hotel groups to the country. UK visitors to Sri Lanka alone rose by 51% last month and the tourism authorities are hoping that the total number of tourists could touch around 0.6m for the first time in several years in 2010.

The total number of business, workers and transit passenger traffic at BIA in 2009 was 4,242, 356 and that compares with 4,642,831 in 2008, 4,898,891 in 2007 and 4,798,274 in 2006.

The duty free business at BIA is very strong in the arrivals shops, with workers returning from overseas postings traditionally strong customers.

EXPANSION PROGRAMME
As for the airport itself, design consultancy work has already been completed for a new 120,000sq m split level passenger terminal building - plus an additional pier - planned under Phase 2, Stage II of BIA's development project. This includes the construction of 14 Passenger Boarding Bridges and a remote apron. Construction is expected to commence in 2012 at an estimated cost of Rps.36bn ($320m) with completion set for 2016.

This will more than double the current floor area to 210,000sq m and annual passenger handling capacity at BIA to 12 million. Currently, BIA's passenger terminal building has a capacity of 6 million and a total floor area of 90,000sq m.

Revenue from rental and concessions to Airport and Aviation Services (Sri Lanka) made up 37% of the total turnover at BIA last year, with a 13% increase in rental income recorded when compared with 2008.

Meanwhile, Airport and Aviation Services (Sri Lanka) reports this month that work on the Hambantota International Airport project costing $209m has been stepped up in its stage one phased construction.

Hambantota will become its second international airport to operate in the country when it is completed in 2012, with a capacity to handle one million passengers a year. Airport and Aviation Services says that considering the economic development of southern region of Sri Lanka, it is forecasting 0.5m passengers will use the 10,000sq m Hambantota airport passenger terminal building by 2028.

--------------------------------------------------------------


(and more evidence that rumor of the supposed closing of CMB for a year or two is bunch of bull)

Actually the way I read it means that (if the rumours are true) Hambantota will open in 2012 whilst BIA would simultaneously close in 2012 for refurbishment. That said I doubt that this would happen, even temporarily due to the impact on tourism.

Actually the way I read it means that (if the rumours are true) Hambantota will open in 2012 whilst BIA would simultaneously close in 2012 for refurbishment. That said I doubt that this would happen, even temporarily due to the impact on tourism.

I read it as the max capacity of Hambantota airport in 2012 will be 1 million passengers a year. BIA currently handles over 5 millions passengers a year. Therefore it would seem no way can Hambantota handle BIA's volume of passengers, therefore they will not close BIA.

Of course, as with all projects that we discuss on this forum: only time will tell.

PIA Pakistan (PK)'s Colombo Flight Schedule is out. Click here ... (http://www.airsrilanka.org/forum/)

Happy new year my dear friends ...




.

Happy New Year Guys!! Why is this forum so quiet? :nuts:

A new Thai airline is set to launch operations later this month.

According to a report on global news website Aviationweek.com, Crystal Thai Airlines has received its air operator’s certificate and will begin flights on January 30 with a service from Bangkok to Seoul Incheon.

Other planned destinations listed on the airline’s not yet fully functional website are: Busan, South Korea; Colombo, Sri Lanka; Phuket, Thailand; Clark, Philippines; Bhutan; and Cochin and Mumbai in India.

Aviationweek.com says Crystal Thai will cater mostly to tourists, and its Airbus A320 -- to be used for the Seoul, Busan and Colombo flights -- is in an all-economy configuration, while its A330s, which it plans to lease in March, will have economy- and business-class seats.

The carrier says it aims to become Thailand’s third-largest carrier, after Thai Airways and Bangkok Airways.

No word yet on pricing, though the airline promises to offer low fares with premium services.

Read more: New Thai airline takes flight this month | CNNGo.com http://www.cnngo.com/bangkok/play/new-thai-airline-takes-flight-month-790052#ixzz1AL6ov6UF


http://www.cnngo.com/bangkok/play/new-thai-airline-takes-flight-month-790052

The airline website is - http://www.crystalthaiair.com/crystalthaiair/html/Home.html

where has everyone been?? please update with news!! :)

SriLankan AirTaxi in Operation - Link (http://www.airsrilanka.org/forum/showthread.php?7-Plane-Spotting-amp-Trip-Reports)

Dear Sidekicker - Sorry for not posting the news in Skyscrapercity. I am quite busy since I started my own Sri Lanka forum (http://www.airsrilanka.org/forum/).

Colombo Airport Pictures. Link (http://www.airsrilanka.org/forum/showthread.php?7-Plane-Spotting-amp-Trip-Reports&p=127&viewfull=1#post127).

Sri Lanka Aviation Updates. Link (http://www.airsrilanka.org/forum/showthread.php?5-Sri-Lanka-Aviation-Discussion&p=125&viewfull=1#post125).

12JAN11 MXP-CMB UL571 was AOG due to hydrolic system failure in MXP. A/C: 4R-ALB.

14JAN11 MXP-CMB UL571 was AOG due to hydrolic system failure again in MXP.
A/C: 4R-ALA

BusinessToday has some interesting interviews with SriLankan Airlines management this month, which sheds some more light on which way the company is heading.

Interview with Nishantha Wickremasinghe, Chairman of SriLankan Airlines:
http://businesstoday.lk/article.php?article=3105

Interview with Manoj Gunawardena, CEO of SriLankan Airlines:
http://businesstoday.lk/article.php?article=3107

SRILANKAN at Kuala Lumpur International Airport
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4085/5089125267_c55fb26a4f_b.jpg
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4085/5089125267_c55fb26a4f_b.jpg

Air Arabia (G9) reduces Colombo Flights. Link (http://www.airsrilanka.org/forum/showthread.php?5-Sri-Lanka-Aviation-Discussion&p=234&viewfull=1#post234).







.

Was able to snap a photo of the Hambantota international airport development at CMB last friday. If it ends up as good as the design, and there's a highway connection to Galle/Colombo this might be a better airport than katunayake.

http://i143.photobucket.com/albums/r131/nitzomoe/DSC00211.jpg

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5128/5341345895_5e3783c6cc_b.jpg
http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5128/5341345895_5e3783c6cc_b.jpg

12JAN11 MXP-CMB UL571 was AOG due to hydrolic system failure in MXP. A/C: 4R-ALB.

14JAN11 MXP-CMB UL571 was AOG due to hydrolic system failure again in MXP.
A/C: 4R-ALA

Hope all ok....

http://i12.tinypic.com/35l7meu.jpg

thanks

Serendib Lounge....

http://img175.imageshack.us/img175/8203/hayans6.jpg

http://img148.imageshack.us/img148/5764/hatarazm4.jpg

http://img150.imageshack.us/img150/6229/ekaaq7.jpg

http://img135.imageshack.us/img135/6425/dekaax1.jpg

http://img213.imageshack.us/img213/1217/tunaja6.jpg

http://img135.imageshack.us/img135/1482/pahabj4.jpg

http://img135.imageshack.us/img135/8066/hataie8.jpg


http://img213.imageshack.us/img213/9180/atawn5.jpg

http://img135.imageshack.us/img135/8870/namayazp0.jpg
free of charge of cos gave 200 rupees tips

I am wondering why the major airlines in Europe,have still not started flying to BIA.
Airlines like,British airways,Air France,Lufthansa,Aeroflot,KLM.

Any news on the above Airlines?

free of charge of cos gave 200 rupees tips

Thanks.
Those are great pix, hope more pix will give better impression and marketing to others. If we have similar lounges in Colombo it would be great rather than the hotels. Job well done.

I am wondering why the major airlines in Europe,have still not started flying to BIA.
Airlines like,British airways,Air France,Lufthansa,Aeroflot,KLM.

Any news on the above Airlines?

High landing fees would deter them. Further the capacity to handle these airlines. I am sure, the above airlines are already in talks.

@ Alpenrock, Aviational & Shakeel - Please check your PM






.

I am wondering why the major airlines in Europe,have still not started flying to BIA.
Airlines like,British airways,Air France,Lufthansa,Aeroflot,KLM.

Any news on the above Airlines?

Don't they need enough flying pax to justify the route ?? :D :D

Well, with the current code sharing agreements, I don't foresee them to barge in so soon ..

And Middle Eastern airlines provide convenient and cheap one-stop connecitons through DXB, AUH and DOH.

PIA flies to Lanka again
Suraj A Bandara

Pakistan International Airline (PIA) will recommence its flights to Sri Lanka from today. PIA stopped flying to Sri Lanka from 2007. A spokesman for the Bandaranaike International Airport told the Daily News that the first flight will arrive in Sri Lanka today at 7.30 am.

Pakistan High Commission Press and Media Head M M Daudhteshamm told the Daily News that these flights will promote people-to-people contacts and facilitate commercial trade between the two countries.

PIA is striving to promote tourism between the two countries by offering tour packages for the Cricket World Cup 2011 and later for summer and winter packages for holiday lovers, he said.

He said recommencing PIA flights would help develop cultural exchanges between Sri Lanka and Pakistan.

"There are many places of Buddhist interest in Pakistan and Sri Lankans would be able to visit these sites at an affordable price," he said.

The airline crew arriving today will be welcomed by Civil Aviation Minister Priyankara Jayaratna, Petroleum Minister Susil Premajayantha and Deputy Tourism Minister Faizer Mustapha. The first flight from Sri Lanka to Pakistan will be at 8.45 pm tomorrow.

SriLankan wooed by Boeing

By Rohan Abeywardena

With business booming for SriLankan from increased tourist and other arrivals to the country, aircraft manufacturers aggressively peddling their merchandise in Colombo and the frontrunner according to aviation insiders this time is America’s Boeing.
Sources said the rival Airbus of Europe, which already has a firm foothold here since President Premadasa purchased five new aircraft from it just prior to his assassination in 1993 too is in the running. Since that initial purchase of two short range A-320s and three long-rage A-340s Airbus aircraft have been the workhorse of SriLankan.
The Nation learns that a Boeing sales team from Seattle had made a convincing sales pitch for its proven workhorse 777 as the ideal aircraft for the national carrier last month. Strangely Boeing new 787 ‘Dreamliner,’ which is considered the most economical aircraft, had not been included in the sales pitch due to massive delivery delays and backlog of orders.
The things standing against Boeing is said to be the problem of having to retrain our pilots to fly its aircraft as all our flyers at present have been trained only on airbus aircraft and the necessity to retool and retrain our aircraft maintenance to handle Boeing aircraft, which would be a double burden as it also has to look after airbus aircraft at the same time.
But SriLankan pilots we spoke to were on the whole receptive to acquiring the 777 on the basis it is much faster and economical, especially on long haul flights in comparison to Airbus planes.
They said from past experience they had lost faith in Airbus as they never keep to their word on many things, including their engine performance.
“We can do a return flight to London in a 24-hour cycle with the 777 with a complement of 350 passengers, which the airbus aircraft cannot match.”
President Rajapaksa has already announced that the national carrier’s fleet should be increased to more than 30 aircraft to meet the growing demand.

At present the carrier is grappling with the problem of not only the shortage of aircraft as it is managing with about a dozen planes it has to cover the growing route network, but is also saddled with a massive pilot shortage, which resulted in cancellation of a flight from London even this week.
The national carrier now flies with a pilot strength of about 160, but it should be having about 240 pilots, sources said.
Sources, however, said the national carrier was unlikely to go for outright purchase of so many new aircraft despite growing business due to its accumulated massive debt running to billions of rupees. Instead, it might come to an agreement with a foreign company to purchase the new aircraft and SriLankan will lease them from that firm.
Even if the 777 aircraft is ordered by the national carrier, the delivery will not take place for at least another three years due to backlog of orders for the plane.
But, in order to meet the growing passenger demand, the national carrier plans to add seven more flights to England alone by the end of the year on top of 14 that it now flies to Heathrow in London every week. The seven new flights are to Manchester and Gatwick, SriLankan sources said.
The carrier has also earmarked new flights to Seoul and St Petersburg among others.
Boeing team however has offered a solution to delays in delivery of new aircraft by offering to obtain second hand planes for the national carrier in the interim.


http://www.nation.lk/2011/02/20/news1.htm

Ready for flights next year:
Mattala int'l airport takes shape

By Shirajiv SIRIMANE

The Mattala international airport will be opened in November next year and would be the island's second international airport, taking Sri Lankan closer to becoming the Wonder of Asia.

The new Minister of Aviation, Priyankara Jayaratne said that they are carrying out advance marketing for the project and the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) has already approved several air routes and destinations for the proposed Hambantota International Airport (HIA).

These destinations and routes include Hong Kong, Malaysia, Indonesia, Japan, China, UK, Germany, Australia, Italy, Singapore, Diego Garcia, Korea, UAE, Maldives, France and Bangkok.

Initial plans were to build an international airport serving the south of Sri Lanka at Weerawila, but the plans were scrapped due to environmental concerns. The site was then moved to Mattala, a small town located 15 kilometres north of Hambantota.

"We are a responsible government with people's needs in mind. Initial studies proved that agriculture and wildlife interests were at stake if Weerawila was chosen as the site for an international airport and this is the reason for the government to shift the venue," he said.

"We have made HIA a green airport", the Minister said. At least 15 percent of energy will be derived from renewable sources (bio mass ,solar, wind). "Existing water bodies and new water features will be developed to keep the water table up at higher levels".

Initially 800 hectares of land was acquired for the project while under the second phase another 1,200 hectares of land will be acquired. "We did not have to relocate any families as this was a barren area", he said.

Under the first phase, basic aerodynamic facilities, runway, air traffic controlling tower, apron, taxiway, passenger and cargo terminals, access roads, accommodation for officials, fuel storage facilities, sewerage treatment plant, water supply facilities, meteorological building, fire-fighting facilities, buildings for catering facilities and car park will be constructed.

"We are also looking at an airport hotel", he said.

The new airport is being built with a four km runway that would enable the latest double-decked Airbus A380 aircraft to land. It has been designed according to the recommendations of the International Civil Aviation Organization.

With the growing traffic of private jets apron facilities for aircraft parking too is available. "We will also market this segment soon," Minister Jayaratne said.

Terminal facilities inclusive of space for cargo handling will be made to support air-sea cargo transshipment in conjunction with the nearby Hambantota Port, which is about 15 miles away. "In a bid to link the HIA with the Magampura Port, we are also planning to have a rail link," he said

"One must remember that Hambantota, Badulla, Moneragala and Matara are producing agricultural goods and dairy products such as curd. This airport would give them an opening to export their products."

They would no longer have to transport their produce to Colombo which would retain the freshness of their products. "Basically they can export direct from the farm," Minister Jayaratne said.

The Chinese government is providing financial assistance for the project which is being constructed by the China Harbour Engineering Company.

HIA will be operated by Airport and Aviation Services (Sri Lanka) Ltd.

He said that with the completion of the first stage they are anticipating one million passenger and 45,000 metric tons of cargo movement per annum.

The controlling tower will be in the shape of a lotus, symbolising the cultural heritage of the country.
Target markets

The main aim of the project is to earn revenue as a transshipment hub. "Airlines - Passenger and Cargo - would play a key role in this arena." Being an aircraft maintenance service provider and providing aviation training would also be revenue generators." Several other aviation-related industries are on the cards and the hospitality industry too is bound to be attracted to the HIA along with private flight owners and service providers.

Chairman, Airport Aviation Services (AASL) Prasanna Wickramasuriya, a tower of strength in this project, said that many airlines wants to fly to Sri Lanka, but the frequency is limited. Other airlines operating to Colombo also want to increase the number of flights. "This was one of the key reasons for us to go for a second airport," he said.
Ratmalana, a city airport

Meanwhile, plans are also under way to upgrade and transform Sri Lanka's first airport at Ratmalana to a city airport.

Wickramasuriya said that private jet movements have increased by over 27 percent and they are planning to capture a fair share of this market.

"We will allow private jets to land and provide them space for 'parking'," he said.

Airport Aviation Services is also planning to introduce a Customs Service and 'duty free shopping' to facilitate this plan. The AASL is also considering constructing a new terminal building and a control tower.

An other major development would be the expansion of the runway towards Weras Ganga and building a new apron and taxiway.

Wickramasuriya also disclosed plans to extend the Colombo Katunayake airport express to Ratmalana so that both airports would be linked.

Palaly to AASL

The Ministry of Aviation has been entrusted with the management of the Palaly domestic airport.

Minister Jayaratne said that a discussion in this regard was held between top officials of the Defence Ministry and Ministry of Aviation.

"We will manage the airport while also facilitating the interests of the Air Force," he said.

Jayaratne said that they will look at the Palali airport in a commercial manner and introduce infrastructure that will be beneficial for passengers.

He said they will also talk with other stakeholders such as the Ministry of Tourism to convert this airport to a comprehensive commercial airport.

The new Minister said that they would also rapidly develop the Ratmalana airport to make it an international airport where charter aircraft and mini aircraft could land. "We would look at re-introducing a customs and duty free facility to cater to international traffic," he said.

Commenting on SriLankan Airlines, he said that under the directions of President Mahinda Rajapaksa, they are planning to acquire six new aircraft next year. "Our aim is to invade the European market," he said.

It will also strengthen the SriLankan transit market and help to make the Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) a regional hub.

The BIA would also get additional infrastructure which would include a new airport hotel, a domestic terminal and railway station inside the airport.

He also disclosed that SriLankan Airlines has already obtained one air taxi and the second one would come early next year.

"We will use this 17-seater aircraft to fly passengers to Jaffna, Trincomalee, Puttalam, Koggala, Victoria, Kandy and Hambantota and other destinations as and when required," the minister said.

The service would be operational from January.

In a bid to increase efficiency, a new cargo belt too was opened at the Colombo airport. "This would help a passenger to clear the airport speedily."

With the proposed Colombo-Katunayake Highway coming into being, the petrol station near the airport is to be relocated. "Due to this, a new stations is being built", he said.


http://www.sundayobserver.lk/2011/02/20/fea09.asp

Hello guys,
It is nice to see more air lines & movements @ BIA these days. I didn't post any thing for long time ,but I'm frequent visitor here in Sri Lanka Skyscrapercity & Banutheves new Sri Lanka Forum-air sri lanka.org (http://www.Sri Lanka Forum-air sri lanka.org).Thank you all of your news guys .I enjoyed them very much.
Any one have any news abt Kingfishers new COK/CMB/COK route? According to my knowledge, UL also going to resume COK service before start to fly Moscow.Looks COK is very demanded now.Thank you again guys .Best regards.

^^UL was always in big demand from all the Kerala Airports. because CMB is the nearest (30/45mins fly from all three airports) International hub from us. UL was best to get connected to East & SE Asia, as Kerala is poorly connected with these areas. I hope UL restart their CCJ route too in near future.

Boeing may win SriLankan 777 order

http://www.airsrilanka.org/forum/showthread.php?313-Aviation-amp-Airports&p=668&viewfull=1#post668

http://www.dailynews.lk/2011/02/22/z_px-inaugural.jpg

Hello guys,
It is nice to see more air lines & movements @ BIA these days. I didn't post any thing for long time ,but I'm frequent visitor here in Sri Lanka Skyscrapercity & Banutheves new Sri Lanka Forum-air sri lanka.org (http://www.Sri Lanka Forum-air sri lanka.org).Thank you all of your news guys .I enjoyed them very much.
Any one have any news abt Kingfishers new COK/CMB/COK route? According to my knowledge, UL also going to resume COK service before start to fly Moscow.Looks COK is very demanded now.Thank you again guys .Best regards.


UL confirmed resumption of cochin flights wef 28th march 2011. Bon Voyage!:)

SriLankan wooed by Boeing

By Rohan Abeywardena

With business booming for SriLankan from increased tourist and other arrivals to the country, aircraft manufacturers aggressively peddling their merchandise in Colombo and the frontrunner according to aviation insiders this time is America’s Boeing.
Sources said the rival Airbus of Europe, which already has a firm foothold here since President Premadasa purchased five new aircraft from it just prior to his assassination in 1993 too is in the running. Since that initial purchase of two short range A-320s and three long-rage A-340s Airbus aircraft have been the workhorse of SriLankan.
The Nation learns that a Boeing sales team from Seattle had made a convincing sales pitch for its proven workhorse 777 as the ideal aircraft for the national carrier last month. Strangely Boeing new 787 ‘Dreamliner,’ which is considered the most economical aircraft, had not been included in the sales pitch due to massive delivery delays and backlog of orders.
The things standing against Boeing is said to be the problem of having to retrain our pilots to fly its aircraft as all our flyers at present have been trained only on airbus aircraft and the necessity to retool and retrain our aircraft maintenance to handle Boeing aircraft, which would be a double burden as it also has to look after airbus aircraft at the same time.
But SriLankan pilots we spoke to were on the whole receptive to acquiring the 777 on the basis it is much faster and economical, especially on long haul flights in comparison to Airbus planes.
They said from past experience they had lost faith in Airbus as they never keep to their word on many things, including their engine performance.
“We can do a return flight to London in a 24-hour cycle with the 777 with a complement of 350 passengers, which the airbus aircraft cannot match.”
President Rajapaksa has already announced that the national carrier’s fleet should be increased to more than 30 aircraft to meet the growing demand.

At present the carrier is grappling with the problem of not only the shortage of aircraft as it is managing with about a dozen planes it has to cover the growing route network, but is also saddled with a massive pilot shortage, which resulted in cancellation of a flight from London even this week.
The national carrier now flies with a pilot strength of about 160, but it should be having about 240 pilots, sources said.
Sources, however, said the national carrier was unlikely to go for outright purchase of so many new aircraft despite growing business due to its accumulated massive debt running to billions of rupees. Instead, it might come to an agreement with a foreign company to purchase the new aircraft and SriLankan will lease them from that firm.
Even if the 777 aircraft is ordered by the national carrier, the delivery will not take place for at least another three years due to backlog of orders for the plane.
But, in order to meet the growing passenger demand, the national carrier plans to add seven more flights to England alone by the end of the year on top of 14 that it now flies to Heathrow in London every week. The seven new flights are to Manchester and Gatwick, SriLankan sources said.
The carrier has also earmarked new flights to Seoul and St Petersburg among others.
Boeing team however has offered a solution to delays in delivery of new aircraft by offering to obtain second hand planes for the national carrier in the interim.


http://www.nation.lk/2011/02/20/news1.htm

Appreciate some realistic pictures that would give better image of whats happening on ground.

Appreciate some realistic pictures that would give better image of whats happening on ground.

The whole thing does really make any sense at all. If this story was true you have to think that Boeing is in a really desperate situation to be peddling second hand planes to now what is a third class ariline... and Boeing is NOT desperate..... It would make sense if they tried to pitch the 787 atleaset....

Secondly whatever the armchair aviation experts here have to say the A340 is still an efficient plane and suits UL's needs perfectly for the routes they are serving. They need to think of the 777 should they want to serve the Americas........... which they are not going to in the near future.

It does not make sense for UL to order 777s and bear the associated infrastructure costs with it when the 777 is essentially going to be outdated and go the A340 way in around 10 years time. The best option for UL for the short term future is do what they are doing now; lease newer A340-330X frames which are essentially 10 years old or so and phase out the older ones. On a long term goal they can think about leasing A350-900s (I don't think UL will be in a position to be ordering planes outright for a couple of more years). Going the A350 way suits UL... they already have the infrastructure and the pilots don't have to be type certified....

New Air Agreement between Sri Lanka and the U.K. allows for onward flights to Canada.....

http://www.slbc.lk/index.php/component/content/article/1-latest-news/5919-bilateral-agreements-have-been-signed-to-strengthen-civil-aviation-services-between-sri-lanka-and-britain-

Now we just need a Canada-Sri Lanka air agreement..Hope to see them at YYZ soon! :)

Sri Lanka to install new high frequency transmitters for air traffic
Thu, Mar 10, 2011, 11:32 am SL Time, ColomboPage News Desk, Sri Lanka.


Mar 10, Colombo: Sri Lanka plans to buy new high frequency transmitters to replace the 24 year old transmitters that are being currently used for the communication at the Colombo regional air traffic control center at Ratmalana Airport.

The Cabinet approved a tender for US$ 708,725 to purchase the equipment which will have a local cost amounting to 17.66 million rupees.

Minister of Civil Aviation Piyankara Jayaratne has submitted the proposal in this regard.

Under the project three of the 24 year old transmitters will be replaced to enhance performance and reliability of the high frequency communication between ground and flying aircraft within Colombo flight indication region (FIR).

Sri Lanka government abandons Negombo lagoon sea plane project
Wed, Mar 9, 2011, 10:20 am SL Time, ColomboPage News Desk, Sri Lanka.


Mar 09, Colombo: Sri Lanka Minister of Fisheries and Aquatic Resource Development Rajitha Senarathna revealed that the government had abandoned the project to land sea planes in the Negombo lagoon.

The Minister revealed this at the parliament yesterday in response to a proposal moved by the opposition parliamentarian of the Gampaha district Dr. Jayalath Jayawardana.

The Minister said that the government abandoned the project following discussions with all the stakeholders. He further said that the debating about a non-entity was a waste of time and it should be probed why the parliamentary staff was forwarded the proposal.

The proposed project to develop the Negombo lagoon for landing sea planes met with wide spread protests from people of the area.

The fishermen operating in the Negombo lagoon protested the government's plans to launch a sea plane project in the lagoon.

Ready for take-off in December 2012:

Mattala int'l airport to breathe new life for Hambantota

By Shirajiv SIRIMANE in Mattala

http://www.sundayobserver.lk/2011/03/06/z_p-02-Mattala-05.jpg

http://www.sundayobserver.lk/2011/03/06/z_p-02-Mattala-08.jpg

Speaker Chamal Rajapaksa, Minister Priyankara Jayaratne and AASL Chairman, Prasanna Wickramasuriya unveling the plaque for the new access road

Lack of water for drinking and irrigation was one of the biggest problems the Hambantota area faced. Even the former Government Agent and legendary writer Sir Leonard Woolf had mentioned this in his books as well as in his reports.

http://www.sundayobserver.lk/2011/03/06/z_p-02-Mattala-06.jpg

There were a few lakes which had all turned green with weeds and polluted water while the adjoining land was barren and seemed like a desert.

Speaker Chamal Rajapaksa said that one of the first things the population in the area wanted from them was a solution to this burning problem.

Minister Jayatne and AASL Chairman Prasanna Wickramasuriya at the ground breaking ceremeny

http://www.sundayobserver.lk/2011/03/06/z_p-02-Mattala-07.jpg

The runway being laid

The fire and rescue section to be opened in April


The control tower


Ongoing constrcttion

"Today, thanks to the mammoth and focused development that is taking place in the area, one could see landscapes which have turned green with plantations while the lakes have been cleared, bringing a solution to the main problem the area faced," he said.

The Speaker said that the Government has taken further steps and provided solutions to other problems that had hampered the area for decades. "If Woolf was to revisit the area now, he would be very happy to note that all issues pointed by him to the colonial rulers have now being solved. We have done justice even to Woolf's thoughts," he said.

Chinese Quality controller

Mega development projects as well as close supervision were the key to Hambantota being elevated from a low income earning district to an area which is enjoying a higher per capita income and better living standards than some of the other districts.

One of the key projects to usher in prosperity to Hambantota is the second international airport in Mattala which is around 22 km away from the new Ruhunu Magampura Port.

The vision of the government is to enhance the economy of the least developed regions of the island. Hambantota and Moneragala districts have been identified as potential regions and the Greater Hambantota development program was designed to uplift the economic activities of the region.

The concept of a second international airport for Sri Lanka originated in 1938. The Government's manifesto contained in the Mahinda Chinthana emphasises the establishment of a second international airport in Sri Lanka.

The ground-breaking ceremony for this project was held in March 2010 and today it is progressing on schedule. Over 75 percent of the runway, which is 3.5 km in length, enabling even wide-bodied aircraft including the world's largest A380 to land, is now complete. The fire and rescue building and their infrastructure would be ready before April while electrical and water connections too would be ready by the same period.

Work on the transit hotel and other buildings would get off the ground in April.

Built at a cost of US $ 209 million, with a soft loan from China to be paid in 20 years with a grace period of five years, the airport will be opened in December 2012, making it one of the 'quickest built' airports in the World.
No human-elephant conflict

The area now being developed for the airport was also used by elephants as a corridor and today the Ministry of Aviation together with the Wildlife Department has taken steps to relocate this herd of jumbos which is said to be around 100.

"We have not chased them away and have created a new corridor and will be building an electrical fence to prevent a human-elephant conflict", said Deputy Director Wildlife, A.S. Sumanasekera. He said that their life pattern would not change and passengers would even see elephants on the opposite side of the runway, making it the only such airport in the world.

Chairman AASL, Prasanna Wickramasuriya said that they would have a separate area where passengers could watch the wildlife as the airport has been designed as an environmental friendly 'green' airport.

The new Minister of Aviation Priyankara Jayaratne who visited the airport to review its progress and lay the foundation stone for the access road said that they will open the airport in December with flights taking off on scheduled departures from that day. "After the airport is opened it would not lay idle as we are targeting one million passengers per year. Several airlines have already contracted us to fly from Hambantota from next December", he said.

He explained that they would focus more on perishable cargo.

"In addition, under the second stage we are looking at a flying school, aircraft maintenance and repair sector, and a free trade zone. China Harbour Corporation along with Sri Lankan engineers is handling the construction and China has even brought quality controllers for the project."

A rail link to the Hambantota Port is also being designed and the airport would also be connected to the proposed Matara-Kataragama railway. Two aero bridges would come in to operation under the first stage.

"We have also decided to upgrade the nearby Namalwila Hospital to international standards. This would be one of the first direct benefits the airport would give the community.

The Government had previously allocated an area at Weerawila, also in the southern part of the country, for the new airport, but the project was finally scrapped due to environmental concerns. However, the AASL "the operating body of Sri Lanka's airports "now states that they have earmarked the lands and have now received approval for environmental concerns.

It is estimated that the Mattala airport project would generate over 50,000 direct and indirect employment opportunities and the proposed free trade zone too would help raise the standard of living of the people in the area.

The 40 metre tall control tower being built in the shape of a lotus would be one of the eye-catching features of the airport.

Cold rooms, facilities for quarantine, Customs, immigration, security vaults, waiting areas, car parking, duty free shops, restaurants, banks and other logistics are now falling in to place.

The AASL has also formulated a target market and an air and "sea transshipment hub would be a priority.

Airlines-passenger and cargo, aircraft maintenance service providers and aviation training are also on the cards.

Aviation-related industries along with tourism-related products would also be focused while private flight owners and service providers too would be welcomed.

The income is expected to be generated from airlines-passenger and cargo. Aircraft maintenance service providers are also expected to be a big future business at Mattala.

Aviation training and other related industries too would generate funds for the project.

Private flight owners and service providers and the duty free shops too would be other avenues that would make this project more viable.

The profit generated from the airport would help raise the standard of the less affluent people in the area who were cold-shouldered for centuries and lived in sheer poverty.

DNews (http://www.sundayobserver.lk/2011/03/06/fea08.asp)

Kochi, Mar 16:

SriLankan Airlines today said it would recommence operations from Kochi by operating daily flights from Mar 27 and was also looking to resume services to Kozhikode and Hyderabad by the end of this year or early next year, a top official of the airline said.

With the resumption of flights to Kochi and addition of seven frequencies, the toal number of flights to India will increase to 63 per week, Mr Mohamed Fazeel, Head Worldwide – Sales, SriLankan Airlines said here.

With the Indian Premier League (IPL) season round the corner and Kochi Tuskers Kerala, which is making its maiden foray this season, having Lankan players, lot of fans would want to come to Kochi to see them play, he said.

It is extremely opportune time for the airline to resume services to Kochi post the ethnic conflict in Sri Lanka and world economic slump. India is an extremely important market for us and this re-launch in Kochi as a stepping stone to further expanding services in India and around the world, he said.

The Hindu Business Line (http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/industry-and-economy/logistics/article1543731.ece)

SriLankan Airlines @ Changi

Click photo to see bigger size..


http://myaviation.net/photos/middle/9/6/4/01941469.jpg (http://myaviation.net/?pid=01941469)

http://myaviation.net/photos/middle/6/3/1/01938136.jpg (http://myaviation.net/?pid=01938136)

Air India Returns to Sri Lanka

MARCH 21ST, 2011 • BY DANIEL T JONES

Air India will be resuming service after a long hiatus to Sri Lanka this summer. The carrier will fly to Colombo from Chennai six times a week starting March 27.

The service will operate with Airbus A321 aircraft.

Schedule

Chennai-Colombo
AI273 MAA 1415-1535 CMB Mon, Tue, Thu-Sun
AI274 CMB 1635-1800 MAA Mon, Tue, Thu-Sun

The airline will face tough competition on the route which is already served with over seven daily flights from Jet Airways, Kingfisher, Spicejet and SriLankan in addition to AI’s own Air India Express. SriLankan is the largest operator on the route offering 3,293 weekly one-way seats on 15 frequencies.

Air India subsidiary Indian was serving this route until late 2010.

http://nycaviation.com/2011/03/air-india-returns-to-sri-lanka/

Aerosvit to fly Colombo Airport - more info on ...www.airsrilanka.org/forum (http://www.airsrilanka.org/forum/showthread.php?313-Aviation-amp-Airports&p=783#post783)






.

http://cdn-www.airliners.net/aviation-photos/middle/1/6/7/1891761.jpg

The Government is planning to develop the Ratmalana airport into a city airport this year. In addition facilities at the Ampara, Jaffna and Koggala airports will be also upgraded. Improvements to the existing terminal building, repair to the runway, taxiway and apron, reconfiguration to the aerodrome for the use of corporate jet traffic would be done as a short-term development project of the Ratmalana airport.

Under the medium-term of the Ratmalana airport development project, constructing a new terminal, control tower, taxiway, apron and runway, extension towards the Weras ganga will take place shortly.

Under the Ampara airport development scheme, runway development, road network improvements, navigational equipment installations, constructing a terminal for civil movements and apron will be implemented.

Facilities at the Koggala and Jaffna airports will also be upgraded in keeping with the ongoing domestic airports upgrading process.

http://www.dailynews.lk/2011/04/05/z_pi-Ratmalana.jpg

Good move.

I believe that RML should be developed as a dedicated airport for budget carriers and base Mihin out of there.

Cayman: what happens if Mihin moves to Long Haul and gets bigger jets ?? :D :D A-la Air-Asia X

SriLankan's 6th A343

Source: Civil Aviation Forum of Sri Lanka - http://www.airsrilanka.org/forum/showthread.php?313-Aviation-amp-Airports&p=847&viewfull=1#post847

Cayman: what happens if Mihin moves to Long Haul and gets bigger jets ?? :D :D A-la Air-Asia X

I think it defeats the very business model they are based on. Besides, Mihin has a long way to go before even consider such an expansion.

Every large city has a city airport and RML could be that for Colombo.

SriLankan Air Taxi - 2nd Twin otter pics

http://www.airsrilanka.org/forum/showthread.php?313-Aviation-amp-Airports&p=874&viewfull=1#post874





.

Agreed with Cayman. Its much closer to City Centre :cheers:

Cayman: a-la V Australia, and Airasia X- you cannot write off a LCC model for long haul - heck, almost all other dominant LCCs in Asia, 5J, TR, and so on, are contemplating or have placed orders for long haul .. high dense config, like the European Charters ..

Never say never .. This is Sri Lanka :) :)

Sri Lanka’s main Bandaranaike International Airport at Katunayake is forecasting a 15 percent increase in passengers for 2011 and is kicking off a terminal building expansion doubling capacity by 2016 to meet rising demand, a senior aviation industry official said.

“We are going through tremendous growth experience in the air transport sector in the country,” said Johanne Jayaratne, executive director of Airports and Aviation Services (Sri Lanka), a state agency which operates airports.

Last year traffic rose eight percent to 5.2 million passengers.

“We are expecting over six million passengers in 2011, coming very close to capacity.”

Current passenger traffic capacity at the BIA is over 6.5 million with 32 airlines operating and covering 13 direct routes.

Jayaratne said the BIA is looking to adjust flight schedules and utilize downtime during mid-day in response to increased passenger traffic.

To double capacity the BIA will add a second pier, which allows passengers to directly enter an aircraft from the terminal, and split the arrivals and departing areas into two floors like most major international airports have done.

Expansion is planned for completion by 2016 with initial work on the new terminal commencing by end 2011.

The Colombo Katunayake expressway, which will be completed by first half 2012 will be directly linked to the airport.

“Access is a huge problem right now for us at the airports,” said Jayaratne.

Several other elevated roadways are also planned to connect with the airport, especially for freight.

The BIA is also considering building a multi-storey car park and a hotel close to the airport for which a mono-rail link is envisaged.

"We're actively looking for investors interested in doing such a venture. There's enough land available," said Jayaratne.

The hotel and car park would be located at the 18th milepost junction, where the road to the airport branches off from the main road from Colombo.

Jayaratne said that due to apparent demand, the BIA is looking at hosting shopping arcades specifically catering to the garment industry on land it hopes to take over from the board of investment (BOI). The shopping arcades would be connected to the airport via an overhead bridge from the existing pier.

“It’s in the embryonic stage at the moment. We hope to get the garment trade involved in getting this business model together.”


Challenges

The runway at the BIA was put together in the year 1986, and urgently requires overlay and widening.

While building a parallel runway is actively being looked at, the BIA faces land constraints from the air force base to the north of the airport and BOI to the south.

“Acquiring this land is going to pose its own challenges,” said Jayaratne.

Another sore point at the airport is the taxi service which Jayaratne referred to as being “ad hoc and untidy”.

“We are hoping to bring some semblance of uniformity to the service,” he said.

“Discussions are underway and hopefully we’ll have that in place by the end of 2011.”^^^^^^^^^^

LBR (http://www.lbr.lk/fullstory.php?nid=201104111439121493)

SriLankan's 6th A343

Source: Civil Aviation Forum of Sri Lanka - http://www.airsrilanka.org/forum/showthread.php?313-Aviation-amp-Airports&p=847&viewfull=1#post847

I didnt knew there was a plan to add another 340..

Great news..Thanks Banu.

Cayman: a-la V Australia, and Airasia X- you cannot write off a LCC model for long haul - heck, almost all other dominant LCCs in Asia, 5J, TR, and so on, are contemplating or have placed orders for long haul .. high dense config, like the European Charters ..

Never say never .. This is Sri Lanka :) :)

TR and 5J arent going long haul AFAIK. And V-Australia isnt a LCC, its a full service airline (and neither is Virgin Blue anymore - it will be renamed accordingly soon). Mihin will probably go long haul though, I remember Sajin was about to buy a widebody before it went backrupt. And a couple of Ukrainian newspapers have been quoted as saying that Mihin will fly to Kiev soon.
Anyway its probably best to continue this convo at the Airsrilanka forum since most of the Lankan aviation forumers are over there.

TR and 5J arent going long haul AFAIK.

Not gonna comment on the rest, but 5J IS GOING LONG HAUL.

They are just praying the FAA restriction be removed so they can move on with their West Coast plans , and, with almost 6 flights a day to some overseas destinations, they have expressed their plans to 'move up' :D :D

Cheers

Not gonna comment on the rest, but 5J IS GOING LONG HAUL.

They are just praying the FAA restriction be removed so they can move on with their West Coast plans , and, with almost 6 flights a day to some overseas destinations, they have expressed their plans to 'move up' :D :D

Cheers

Looks like they are. My bad! :)

Lordvader: Mihin to Kiev ? you are cracking me up ... what is in Kiev other than .. Chicken ?? :D

Lordvader: Mihin to Kiev ? you are cracking me up ... what is in Kiev other than .. Chicken ?? :D

LOL I wish i was joking!: http://translate.google.com.au/translate?hl=en&sl=uk&u=http://ua.korrespondent.net/business/1195613-i-v-ukrayinu-mozhut-rozpochati-poloti-tri-loukost-aviakompaniyi&ei=zH6ETZ6cHYS3cPPWlYgD&sa=X&oi=translate&ct=result&resnum=1&ved=0CBwQ7gEwAA&prev=/search%3Fq%3Dhttp://ua.korrespondent.net/business/1195613-i-v-ukrayinu-mozhut-rozpochati-poloti-tri-loukost-aviakompaniyi%26hl%3Den%26sa%3DG%26prmd%3Divns

IMHO Mihin should focus on India first

Another sore point at the airport is the taxi service which Jayaratne referred to as being “ad hoc and untidy”.

“We are hoping to bring some semblance of uniformity to the service,” he said.

“Discussions are underway and hopefully we’ll have that in place by the end of 2011.”^^^^^^^^^^

LBR (http://www.lbr.lk/fullstory.php?nid=201104111439121493)


Uhhhhhhhh.....the pick up/taxi area at BIA has been a chaotic mess for years...and they are only getting around to fixing it NOW?? :nuts:

Uhhhhhhhh.....the pick up/taxi area at BIA has been a chaotic mess for years...and they are only getting around to fixing it NOW?? :nuts:

The cabs are filthy too when compared to the ones we got in Thailand and everywhere else. It doesnt give a good first impression. Maybe the airport company should mass order a hundred AC vans and cars and start an airport taxi service (like in Thailand). Or else put them out to tender (im sure enough of private companies would be interested in starting a cab service- especially since there is no public transport to the airport).