Sri Lanka Aviation

[Cayman]

Interesting bit from the above article:

"4R ALR, though being delivered brand new last year has been experiencing a fuel hiding recurring problem. The faulty glitch is where approximately two tons of fuel mysteriously goes missing in flight."

There cannot be any mystery in fuel calculation. Could this be an aerodynamic issue with the fuselage or an issue with trimming?

If it is a problem with the fuel gauges, it should be glaringly obvious.

[Sandaru]

Interesting bit from the above article:

"4R ALR, though being delivered brand new last year has been experiencing a fuel hiding recurring problem. The faulty glitch is where approximately two tons of fuel mysteriously goes missing in flight."

Is it impossible to detect that something is wrong with the aircraft's fuel burning, with the data collected from thousands of flights?

[ejanson65]

Interesting bit from the above article:

"4R ALR, though being delivered brand new last year has been experiencing a fuel hiding recurring problem. The faulty glitch is where approximately two tons of fuel mysteriously goes missing in flight."

There cannot be any mystery in fuel calculation. Could this be an aerodynamic issue with the fuselage or an issue with trimming?

If it is a problem with the fuel gauges, it should be glaringly obvious.

Their re-dispatch flight planning finally bites them in the ass! Cost of diversion is probably more than several years of savings realised using this procedure.

If they have a fuel hiding issue then the question is why send this aircraft on this route?

They know the fuel on departure - they can simply add up the fuel used plus the fuel remaining at destination to see if it is the same as the departure fuel. If it is not the same then there is a leak.

Airbus fuel systems are very sensitive to any water in the fuel - not sure how often they drain the sumps on these aircraft. A lot of experience at engineering has also walked out of the door in recent years. All the best people have gone.

I've seen one aircraft where 1100kg of "missing" fuel was reduced to 600kg after the sumps were drained. My experience is that this "missing" fuel comes back in the latter stages of flight.

When I worked at UL their fuel policy was very poorly written and very ambiguous - not sure if this is still the case.

I am in no way second guessing the Capt's decision to divert - that's his choice to make. I wasn't there and don't know the actual fuel situation on this flight.

[banuthev]

SriLankan Airlines Ltd is seeking to improve its load factor on its profitable Kuala Lumpur route. It currently operates two daily flights onboard A320 between Colombo and Kuala Lumpur. SriLankan Chairman said SriLankan flights to Kuala Lumpur have with a passenger load factor of 85% during peak period and 75% during off-peak period. From end of Oct 2016, SriLankan will be operating one daily A320 and one daily A332 on the Colombo-Kuala Lumpur sector.

[banuthev]

Himalaya Airlines starting Colombo flights from 1 Oct 2016

KATHMANDU, Sept 20: Himalaya Airlines, a Nepal-China joint venture airline, is starting scheduled flight to Colombo from October 1.

The airline will fly its Airbus A320-214 -- configured with eight Business Class and 150 Economy Class seats -- on the new route, according to Vijay Shrestha, vice president-administration of Himalaya Airlines.

Himalaya Airlines will fly to the Sri Lankan capital city three times a week on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays. It will depart from Tribhuwan International Airport, Kathmandu at 1130 hours and will arrive in Bandaranaike International Airport, Colombo at 1515 hours, according to Shrestha. “The flight leaves Colombo at 1615 hrs and arrives Kathmandu at 2015 hours on the same day,” he added.

“After an overwhelming response received from our two non-scheduled flights to Colombo, we found this route to be very potential," he said, adding: "We have observed passenger traffic data between the two countries over the last several years before arriving at the decision to commence scheduled flights."

The airline also said that it was pleased to be able to resume services to and from Colombo as it is an important market for tourism promotion of both countries. "Flying to this destination will definitely promote tourism between two nations as well as generate new business opportunities," Shrestha added.

The airline has appointed Classic Travel as its General Sales Agents (GSA). The company will be responsible for the airline's sales and marketing, market development, reservations and ticketing services representing, according to the statement.

Himalaya Airlines is offering one-way fare at Rs 29,191 for and roundtrip fare at Rs 50,041.

The fare is inclusive of all government taxes.

The airline started commercial flights on May 31, starting a direct flight to Doha, Qatar. It has plans to connect Kathmandu with New Delhi, Yangon, Dammam, Beijing, Lhasa, Chengdu, Bangkok, Hong Kong and Dubai.

Tibet Airlines owns 48.99 percent of stakes in the airline, while the remaining 51.01 percent are held by a consortium of Nepali investors.

http://www.myrepublica.com/news/5995

According to Amadeus, Himalaya Airlines will be flying 4 weekly schedule flights between Colombo and Kathmandu.

Flight Schedule

From Oct 2016 to 5 Jan 2017
KTM-CMB - A320 - 11:25 - 15:15 - TU.TH.SA.SU
CMB-KTM - A320 - 16:15 - 20:10 - TU.TH.SA.SU

Effec 6-Jan-2017

KTM-CMB - A320 - 23:25 - 03:15 +1 - TU.TH.SA.SU
CMB-KTM - A320 - 04:15 - 08:10 - MO.WE.FR.SU

[Max]

SriLankan extends Lahore schedule

SriLankan Airlines in last week’s schedule update has extended operational schedule for Colombo – Lahore route, scheduled to commence on 27SEP16. For flights on/after 30OCT16, the airline continues to operate this route twice a week, on board Airbus A320 aircraft.

UL185 CMB2010 – 2335LHE 320 24
UL186 LHE0035 – 0505CMB 320 35

Operational days switches to Day 27 from CMB, Day 13 from LHE, from 08JAN17.

http://www.routesonline.com/news/38/airlineroute/268954/srilankan-extends-lahore-schedule-into-w16/

[banuthev]

Saudia Airlines is changing the operational schedule effective 6-Jan-2017 until 6-Apr-2017 due to Colombo Airport Runway Maintenance.

jed-cmb - sv780 - b772 - 12:15 - 20:30 - mon
jed-cmb - sv788 - b772 - 19:05 - 03:20 - wed+1
jed-cmb - sv788 - b772 - 19:15 - 03:30 - sat+1
ruh-cmb - sv786 - b772 - 08:45 - 19:10 - wed.sat - via mle

cmb-jed - sv789 - b772 - 04:50 - 08:40 - thu
cmb-jed - sv789 - b772 - 05:00 - 08:50 - sun
cmb-jed - sv781 - b772 - 22:20 - 02:10 - mon+1
cmb-ruh - sv787 - b772 - 20:40 - 02:20 - wed.sat+1 - via mle

[Max]

All airlines flying to Colombo to file fares with CAA

The Director General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has directed all airlines operating to Colombo to file their fares with the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) in an effort to stop ongoing price wars and undercutting.

The circular with relevant instructions was circulated among the airlines today afternoon, H M C Nimalsiri, DGCA, said. It spelled out that the regulator has observed some undercutting in the market and that the new measure is aimed at redressing the issue. It asks the airlines to file the fares they hope to apply to the Colombo market.

The CAA hopes now to monitor the market. Respective bilateral air services agreements say that airlines cannot practice fares that drive competitors out of the market. The regulator can take the step of setting fares if compliance is weak but there has been no immediate decision in this regard.

http://www.sundaytimes.lk/article/1008950/all-airlines-flying-to-colombo-to-file-fares-with-caa

[Cayman]

All airlines flying to Colombo to file fares with CAA

The Director General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has directed all airlines operating to Colombo to file their fares with the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) in an effort to stop ongoing price wars and undercutting.

The circular with relevant instructions was circulated among the airlines today afternoon, H M C Nimalsiri, DGCA, said. It spelled out that the regulator has observed some undercutting in the market and that the new measure is aimed at redressing the issue. It asks the airlines to file the fares they hope to apply to the Colombo market.

The CAA hopes now to monitor the market. Respective bilateral air services agreements say that airlines cannot practice fares that drive competitors out of the market. The regulator can take the step of setting fares if compliance is weak but there has been no immediate decision in this regard.

http://www.sundaytimes.lk/article/10...fares-with-caa

As it is, CAA is doing a piss poor job upholding their primary mandate, which is to keep the skies and the passengers flying in and out of SL safe.

Why are they taking on more responsibility and make a mess of that too?

Let the markets decide the airfares, not the government, especially when the government is also in the business of aviation.

Talk about conflict of interest!

[Speedbird]

As it is, CAA is doing a piss poor job upholding their primary mandate, which is to keep the skies and the passengers flying in and out of SL safe.

Why are they taking on more responsibility and make a mess of that too?

Let the markets decide the airfares, not the government, especially when the government is also in the business of aviation.

Talk about conflict of interest!

Absolutely

[Speedbird]

https://propakistani.pk/2016/09/23/boeing-confirms-777-787-planes-pia-premier-service/

[ejanson65]

Another example of the type of people working at SriLankan - as I've said it's a lost cause.

https://www.colombotelegraph.com/index.php/srilankan-pilot-mentally-down-after-sex-selfie-video-goes-viral-passenger-safety-compromised/

The sooner this closes down the better imho.

[Serendib]

https://propakistani.pk/2016/09/23/b...emier-service/

Thanks Speedbird for the link

Boeing, the maker of the 777 and 787 aircrafts, has agreed to lease a combination of 777 and 787 aircraft to Pakistan International Airlines, a tweet by PTV News has claimed.

We are also hearing rumors that PIA might cancel its wet-lease with Sri Lankan Airline, under which PIA had gotten three A330 aircraft for its premier service.

https://propakistani.pk/2016/09/23/boeing-confirms-777-787-planes-pia-premier-service/

[Cayman]

Another example of the type of people working at SriLankan - as I've said it's a lost cause.

https://www.colombotelegraph.com/index.php/srilankan-pilot-mentally-down-after-sex-selfie-video-goes-viral-passenger-safety-compromised/

The sooner this closes down the better imho.

Don't you hate it when an article so succinctly describe the contents of a video, yet do not publish a link to it?

[MalaysiaMustafa]

My guess would be Mihin is sending two aircraft back to lessor by the end of January 2017. First of all A321 (MRC) is leaving the fleet in October 2016 and A319 or A320 (MRF or MRE) leaving the fleet in January 2017.

MRC did not fly for past three days. May be thats the bird to leave first.