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K FLYER — Sat, 17 May 2008 02:49:54 +0000

Welcome to Asian Aviation Blog. The latest and finest resource to bring you the very latest aviation happenings in Asia taking you on a fascinating journey while looking out for your daily dose of aviation news. We just started out, more great things are to come soon. Stay tuned!

Frequency Downgrades from SriLankan

K FLYER — Tue, 22 Apr 2008 15:55:00 +0000

Following is the SriLankan Airlines flight schedule from May 2008.

Destination – Flights per week – Status

Bangalore 4 Downgraded
Delhi 3 Downgraded
Dubai 7 Downgraded
Kuwait 6 Downgraded
Doha 2 Downgraded
Muscat 3 Downgraded
Male 11 in April, 15 in Oct. Slightly Downgraded
Chennai 14 Normal
Tiruchirapally 9 Slightly downgraded
Calicut 8 Normal
Thiruvananthapuram 10 Downgraded
Kochi 9 Normal
Hyderbad 7 Downgraded
London 9 in October Highly Downgraded
Frankfurt 3 Downgraded
Paris 3 Downgraded
Sydney, Melbourne, New York, Houston, Zurich, Munich, Dusseldorf, Jakarta All Cancelled (codeshares with EK)
Mumbai 13 Normal

Analysis – Network destinations are down to 40 from 53. Indian frequencies per week are down to 83 from 100.
Middle East was one of the biggest revenue makers for SriLankan and all Mid Eastern frequencies have been downgraded. UL previously operated 28 flights per week (inc. codeshares) to Dubai and this has now been downgraded to only 7 flights per week. SriLankan previously operated a mix of A340s and A330s on this route and now all the flights have been downgraded to A330s. Emirates previously operated a mix of A330s and Boeing 777s on the route and all the flights have now been upgraded to Boeing 777s with First Class onboard.
London has always been a first priority destination to SriLankan and it’s a wonder that this route has been downgrade to just 9 frequencies per week from 12. However this is expected to be increased again from November. It is learnt that most of these frequency reduced routes might be given to Mihin Lanka which will see a fleet expansion with the addition of two more aircraft acquired using a loan from the Bank of Ceylon. These aircraft are to be maintained by SriLankan Engineering in the future as maintaining these aircrafts was one of the highest expenditures for Mihin in the past.

UL new CEO

K FLYER — Sun, 20 Apr 2008 13:14:00 +0000

According to insiders, Manoj Gunawardena has been appointed as the new CEO of SriLankan and his brother, Sajin Vaas will act as unofficial CEO of Mihin Lanka as to avoid a public conflict as two people from same family are the CEOs. Government will merge the two careers (which might be renamed to get a name related to the word – Mahinda – which is unsure and I can’t be responsible about the truth) and Mihin Lanka will be given some of UL’s profitable routes in order to show good financial results as there is a public dispute going on about government illegally injecting money to Mihin.
However when analyzing next winter flight schedules through OAG, it was clear to me that no new destination has been launched and no new aircraft have been added. No new frequencies have been added, except to Mumbai and interline connectivity seem way less than it was when under EK management.

Manoj to be UL CEO?

K FLYER — Sun, 20 Apr 2008 02:18:00 +0000

ColomboPage News Desk, Sri Lanka.

Apr 19, Colombo: As Sajin Vaas Gunawardena has stepped down as Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Mihin Lanka his stepbrother Manoj Gunawardena, who is the current Head of Worldwide Passenger Services of the country’s national carrier SriLankan, is rumored to be appointed as the CEO of SriLankan.

However, no confirmation was received as yet from the SriLankan about the latest report. Few days ago, Sajin Vaas stepped down from the CEO post but remained as a member of the Board of the Mihin Air.

Reportedly Sajin Vaas is also tipped to be appointed to the Board of SriLankan Airlines.

SriLankan Smiles

K FLYER — Sat, 29 Mar 2008 07:55:00 +0000

SriLankan Airlines, to be owned by the Sri Lankan goverment on 1st April (I’m doubtful ), has launched its new frequent flyer programme, Smiles. More on the website can be found on www.flysmiles.com!

Boeing 787 further delayed ?

K FLYER — Tue, 11 Mar 2008 15:17:00 +0000

It is rumoured that Boeing 787′s delivery will be delayed by around another three months. Shown is a mock-up of Boeing 787′s cockpit.

SriLankan CEO’s work permit cancelled

K FLYER — Thu, 20 Dec 2007 01:17:00 +0000

SriLankan Airlines’ CEO Mr.Peter Hill’s job permit was cancelled by the government today. The reason that the government stated was not obeying government’s requests. The reason was the airline’s refusal to clear 35 seats on a flight from London for Mahinda Rajapaksa, the President. People rumour that this is another attempt by government to make state owned Mihin Lanka (Though said to be state owned, I wonder why does the company name is “Mihin Lanka Private Limited”) low cost airline popular. SriLankan Airlines (formerly Air Lanka) is partially owned by Emirates Airline and this agreement is due to expire in 2008.

SriLankan CEO’s work permit cancelled

K FLYER — Thu, 20 Dec 2007 01:17:00 +0000

K FLYER — Fri, 10 Aug 2007 11:48:00 +0000

Mihin Lanka

WILL EMIRATES LEAVE SRI LANKA?

K FLYER — Sat, 31 Mar 2007 14:06:00 +0000