Aviation & Airports

[kukumarx]

Originally Posted by mrpanini

Uh-oh. Air Arabia cancels flights to Mattala...

Today's Daily Mirror gives the reasons in better detail.

Air Arabia suspends flights to Mattala
THURSDAY, 09 MAY 2013 12:34
Air Arabia, the only international carrier that flew to Mattala Rajapaksa International Airport (MRIA), is believed to have either cancelled or temporarily suspended its flights to the newly built second international airport in southern Sri Lanka.

The website of the Sharjah based airline no longer provides reservation facilities to or from MRIA and the airline’s destination map only contains Colombo as its sole Sri Lankan destination.

When contacted by Mirror Business, Secretary to the Ministry of Civil Aviation, Dr. Ravindra Ruberu, cited low levels of passenger traffic as the primary reason behind disruptions to the flight schedule.

“Reports that Air Arabia has completely stopped flights are false. We have signed agreements with them that state that they will fly to Mattala however the frequency of flights is for them to decide based on the levels of passenger traffic”

A website called airlineroute.net reported that Air Arabia has cancelled its flights to MRIA from May. When queried, Nawaloka Aviation Pvt Ltd General Manger, Ramly Vilcassim, General Sales Agent (GSA) for Air Arabia in Sri Lanka, told Mirror Online that Air Arabia is operating at MRIA without any disruptions.

But he declined to comment on the frequency of flights. CEO of Mattala Airport, Derick Karunaratne was unavailable for comment

When questioned about frequency of flights and passenger arrivals into Mattala, several officials from government owned service provider, Airport and Aviation Services (Sri Lanka) Limited declined to comment.

Source: http://www.dailymirror.lk/news/29220...o-mattala.html

I am told that even Sri Lankan has very low traffic from this sector

[lordvader]

Originally Posted by ak892

One of the main problems why the airport and the port are flopping is the poor transport links to Colombo (western province), the financial center where the money is at as well as were most of the people live. If they extend the expressway as well provide a fast rail service demand will pick up. Instead the government has done the opposite and built the airport/port first and is now only extending the roads/rail.
The gov must also understand that airlines are only just coming back to colombo (BA/South korean, turkish airways etc) they going take time to go to another spot which is untested, doesnt matter where the airport was built.

Couldn't agree more! IMHO they shouldve built the new airport near the Southern Expressway. That way it couldve also acted as a long term replacement for the BIA with more land for extra runways (since it wouldve only been 45 min or so from CMB).

However I think HTT will be viable long term once all infrastructure is in place.

[Shakeel]

The money invested on the MRIA could have been properly utilized to upgrade the BIA to an international standard. We really do not need a WHITE ELEPHANT. This was just a ploy by the MR and his coons to get commissions of greed and make someone else rich and happy. Hope this would be the last.

[kassapa]

Originally Posted by Shakeel

The money invested on the MRIA could have been properly utilized to upgrade the BIA to an international standard. We really do not need a WHITE ELEPHANT. This was just a ploy by the MR and his coons to get commissions of greed and make someone else rich and happy. Hope this would be the last.

Now that's been immature. MR and the other R's want to turn around Hambantota and make it the second most developed district after Colombo and the MRIA is part of that plan. Although I prefer if Trinco would have been chosen for this mega development plan including the port and air port, stating that they built this just for commissions is been immature.

[ak892]

Sri Lanka to call tenders for duty free emporium in Mattala: minister
May 10, 2013 (LBO) - Sri Lanka will tender a concession to operate a duty free shopping complex in the newly opened Mattala airport, aviation minister Priyankara Jayaratne said, in a move that could draw more passengers to the destination.
"I have instructed officials to call for tenders to set up the duty free shops as soon as possible," minister Jayaratne said.
"I agree that lack of duty free shops is a problem for some passengers."

Passengers from Middle East, who are mostly expat workers returning after months or years are reluctant to come via Mattala Rajapaksa airport because they cannot use their duty free allowance which can be up to 500 dollars, travel industry officials say.

At Katunayake international airport, duty free shops sell anything from a refrigerator to pressure cookers to cigarettes and alcohol.

UAE based Air Arabia, the first foreign airline to operate to the new airport has now suspended flights the airport.

But a government official said it is likely to resume flights by September. Fly Dubai, a UAE based carrier is also expected to fly to Mattala. State-run SriLankan and Mihin fly to Mattala now.

Jayaratne said a six member committee headed by civil aviation ministry’s secretary Ravindra Ruberu has been appointed to oversee and provide recommendations for setting up duty free facilities in Mattala.

This committee is to give their recommendations within a month to minister Jayaratne. A single firm is likely to be given the concession.

The airport has attracted criticism but infrastructure analysts have said it has potential as a freight hub.

Passengers from Sri Lanka's East and South can also potentially save time and money by flying out of Mattala, if there were sufficient connections.

Hiring charges of a taxi or passenger van from the East to Sri Lanka's capital Colombo can cost up to 150 US dollars.

[Rohith]

The first impression that people from developed countries get when they step out of BIA is "Oh my gosh is this another India?". The crowds, the noise, the touts, aggressive and rude security personal (including Air Force personnel) and congestion to name a few. Most of the crowd that block the entrance consist of the 'Dubai crowd' - the less sophisticated folk who come to the airport to welcome their loved ones from the Middle East.

One way to control this mob would have been to split the airport into 2 sections by having a parallel runway and another brand new air terminal for non-mid Eastern flights.

Though MR's argument of having another airport was to make SL an aviation hub, that reasoning was erroneous. A country does not require two airports to be a hub, but what it requires is a second runway like in Singapore.

It was unfortunate that MR's decision to go with Mattala was based on ego and greed rather than commonsense. Else that money could have been invested into a brand new terminal and runway towards the Negombo side of the airport which could have worked like KL's Sepang and LCCT which are two separate airports that share the same runways.

[sjinadasa]

Katunayake to face 8-hour daily shutdowns

A decision has been made to impose daily eight hour shutdowns at the Katunayake Bandaranaike International Airport from January next year, internal sources from the Airport and airlines say.

The shutdowns have been imposed with the intention of renovating its airstrips of the airport.

During the period, flights arriving and departing from the country will be operated the Mattala International Airport in Hambantota, sources further say.

Meanwhile, Air Arabia, the Sharjah-based United Arab Emirates' national budget airlines has suspended its flights from Sharjah to Mattala, ‘Airline Route’ website reports.

Air Arabia operated twice weekly non-stop services between Sharjah and Mattala.

It has cancelled the above flights just 6 weeks after it became the first foreign carrier to service the newest international airport in Sri Lanka.

According to reports from Mattala Airport, not a single passenger has gotten aboard these flights (G9508 SHJ2130 – 0350+1HRI 320 47, G9509 HRI0430 – 0740SHJ 320 15) for several weeks.

An online reservation facility for the above flights, that was available on the airline’s website too, is no longer available, ‘Airline Route’ reported.

http://www.srilankamirror.lk/news/71...aily-shutdowns

How true might this be ? Just rumours ?

[Shakeel]

Originally Posted by kassapa

Now that's been immature. MR and the other R's want to turn around Hambantota and make it the second most developed district after Colombo and the MRIA is part of that plan. Although I prefer if Trinco would have been chosen for this mega development plan including the port and air port, stating that they built this just for commissions is been immature.

You sound immature in this statement kassapa. Y do you need so many airports dotted around SL. The downfall is the commissions and bribes taken by the MR and his coons its very clear and logical thinking unless you from the downsouth and racial.

[GAYAN]

Atleast he does something for himself and his family. Unlike the gon harakas here who applaud every single white elephant saying its important and all..

Originally Posted by Shakeel

You sound immature in this statement kassapa. Y do you need so many airports dotted around SL. The downfall is the commissions and bribes taken by the MR and his coons its very clear and logical thinking unless you from the downsouth and racial.

[saraprobe]

Originally Posted by sjinadasa

Katunayake to face 8-hour daily shutdowns


http://www.srilankamirror.lk/news/71...aily-shutdowns

How true might this be ? Just rumours ?

I must admit that BIA runaway badly need some renovation and also i suggest authorities to promote HIA as a freight hub as it complement with harbour!

[pathum1986]

as i know they have receive funds from JICA to renew the runway and taxiway with new terminal ..
but government impose rule no work start until commonwealth summit in November..
due to security purpose

[ak892]

SriLankan Airlines was looking at breaking even by 2015 and returning to the path of profitability, said Chairman of the national carrier Nishantha Wickramasinghe. Speaking to Daily News Business he said the addition of 10 new aircraft, six airbus A330-300s and four A350-900s beginning from next year would help the airline a great deal in achieving this target. “This deal is being done directly and there would be a leasing financing package that will go along with the re-fleeting. The use of the new fleet of aircraft would also give a 40 % fuel saving to the airline,” he said.

SriLankan Airlines will also secure an aircraft maintenance facility at the country’s newest international airport in Mattala as part of the deal with Airbus. He said that the airline had exceeded the annual tourist inbound traffic target of 2012 and they were now looking at a double digit growth in 2013. The total annual traffic increase from the region amounted to a substantial 121,709 passengers. SriLankan currently serves nine destinations in the Gulf operating over 50 flights per week. In addition Mihin also operates flights to the region. The carrier operates a fleet of 22 aircraft — six A340-300 aircraft, seven A330-200/243 and eight A320-200 aircraft.

SriLankan is also contemplating on launching direct flights to Moscow and Melbourne next year. Wickramasinghe said that they were currently flying to Moscow with a stopover in Dubai and were looking at launching a daily direct frequency next year. “This way we could get better returns,” he emphasized. He also said that with the inclusion of 10 new aircraft to UL's fleet next year they could look at new destinations and Melbourne has been identified as a priority. The airline thus hopes to offer four flights per week to Melbourne.

“We are also looking at encouraging Western traffic to fly to Melbourne through Colombo and this would also be a major boost for the tourism industry as we plan to offer them an attractive stay over packages as well,” he added.



Melbourne i think would be like flying to London due to the large number of sri lankans. I'm surprised they haven't already done this.

[saraprobe]

Minister of Aviation, Priyankara Jayaratne, told Ceylon Today, work with regard to overlaying the new runway (tarmac) at the Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA), has begun and will be carried out during 'off peak hours' of flights landing, said to be during the day.


The peak hours for flights landing at the BIA are at night and in the morning hours, he said.
He added that no flights will be diverted to the Mattala Rajapaksa International Airport (MRIA), as the BIA slots cannot land or take off from Mattala.


Jayaratne went on to say that Air Arabia is reconsidering restarting its operation from MRIA to Singapore, explaining that the airline terminating its flights from Mattala was only a temporary measure.
He also said the budget airline, Fly Dubai, will also fly to Mattala.


However, a senior official attached to the Mattala Airport told Ceylon Today, that discussions are underway to shut down BIA during off peak hours in 2014 to overlay the new runway at the BIA.


The official said they are discussing the time frame for the shut down and as a result, some of the flights may land in Mattala if required during the overlaying of the new runway at BIA. This would also mean cutting down on the time of commercial operations to eight hours or less during the period of overlay. However, only one runway needs resurfacing, sources added.


The international website for flights, airlineroute.net states that from 8 May, Air Arabia has cancelled the Sharjah-Mattala/Hambantota route, just six weeks after it became the first foreign carrier to operate the newest International airport in Sri Lanka. The airline previously operated a twice weekly service and the reservations on the airline's website are no longer available.



Airline Route quotes that Fly Dubai from 21 May will launch the Dubai-Mattala/Hambantota service, offering three weekly flights, operating the Boeing 737-800 aircraft. With the addition of the Hambantota service, Fly Dubai will operate a total of 10 weekly flights to Sri Lanka.

CT

[kassapa]

Does any body know whether a second runway is confirmed for BIA? I hear that here and there but haven't come across anything concrete.

[saraprobe]

[Amal]

Emirates ups flights to Sri Lanka

24 May, 2013 07:03:18

May 24, 2013 (LBO) - Dubai-based Emirates Airlines said it is increasing frequencies to Sri Lanka's capital Colombo by three a week to 31, to cope with rising demand.

"The demand for seats on the Colombo – Dubai sector is increasing, and these additional flights will enable more UK and USA bound passengers to connect with Emirates services out of Dubai," Chandana de Silva, Emirates’ area manager for Sri Lanka and Maldives said in a statement.

"The additional capacity will support the Sri Lankan government’s efforts to increase tourist arrivals towards the declared target of 2.5 million by 2016."

The three new flights will be operated with Boeing 777-300ER aircraft in two class configuration, adding 126 Business Class and 1,158 Economy Class seats each way per week on the route, as well as 23 tonnes of additional capacity for cargo per flight.

http://www.lankabusinessonline.com/n...nka/1900412725

[aravinda]

Unprofitable Sri Lankan Airlines looks to cut costs with revitalized Airbus fleet

REUTERS
MAY 24, 2013 9:41 AM

Loss-making national carrier Sri Lankan Airlines has signed a provisional deal with Airbus worth $1.3 billion to buy six A330-300 and four A350-900 aircraft between 2014 and 2023 to replace ageing aircraft, the state-run firm’s CEO told Reuters.

The airline, seeking to modernise its fleet to cut fuel costs, will opt for Rolls-Royce Plc engines and use a lease-back arrangement to conserve cash, Chief Executive Officer Kapila Chandrasena said in an interview.

“The total cost altogether is going to be around $1.3 billion. But deliveries are progressively from 2014 to 2023 on a staggered basis,” he said. The carrier signed a memorandum of understanding on the purchase with Airbus last Friday, he said.

Sri Lankan Airlines now operates with a 22-aircraft fleet including seven A320-200s, seven A330-300s, six A340-300s and two Twin Otters.

Chandrasena said the national carrier needs to replace all six A340-300s with A330-300 aircraft and all seven A330-300s with A350-900s.

Sri Lankan, which had been managed by Dubai’s Emirates Airline for a decade until 2008, aims to achieve a modern and fuel efficient twin-engine fleet by 2023.

The A340 has lost favour with airlines due to the cost of running four engines in an era of high fuel prices. Airlines are switching to lightweight new-technology airplanes such as the carbon-fibre A350 and Boeing Co’s 787 Dreamliner, but sales of the older A330 have held up better than expected due to its availability and competitive pricing, aerospace analysts say.

Boeing offer

Chandrasena said the airlines considered offers by both Airbus and Boeing.

“We looked at who is giving more value for us. In that discussion, it was apparent that the Airbus offer of A330-300s in the interim and long-term A350-900 is much more favourable than the Boeing,” he said.

“Boeing did not have interim aircraft. They were only interested in the long-term offer, which was the 787.”

Sri Lankan Airlines estimates that it incurred a loss of $134.8 million in the 2012/13 financial year to March 31, similar to the previous year, and is finding it difficult to finance new aircraft purchases.

“We don’t have cash,” Chandrasena said. “So what we are doing is a sale and lease.”

He said the airline would work with either a financial institution or a leasing firm that would buy the aircraft and lease them back to the carrier.

He said the national carrier would be looking at a lease period of 10 to 15 years, with a shorter period for the A330-300s and a longer period for the A350-900s.

“We are talking to various (leasing companies) right now about the sale and lease-back on the six 330-300s,” he said.

The airline operates about 253 flights a week out of Colombo to European, Middle Eastern and Asian destinations.

Chandrasena said in February that, with fuel comprising half the airline’s costs, its ageing, inefficient planes were a heavy drain on profit.

It has the extra burden of having to operate unprofitable European routes, because the country’s economy, hard-hit by a 26-year war that ended in 2009, relies heavily on tourism.

The airline, which is 51 percent state-owned, is expected to break even, or be close to that point, in the 2015/16 financial year.

Source