Category: Aviation

June 19, 2012 (LBO) – Sri Lanka’s state-run SriLankan Airlines had raised 175 million US dollars through an Islamic loan from banks in the United Arab Emirates chairman Nishantha Wickramasinghe said. Mashreq Bank lead managed the loan, with four other UAE based banks chipping in, which will give four year financing for Sri Lankan Airlines […]

May 22, 2012 (LBO) – Sri Lanka’s Deccan Aviation said it had established a privately run helipad in Colombo city after authorities relaxed rules that prevented civil aircraft approaching within 10 miles of the capital. Deccan Aviation said Sri Lanka’s Civil Aviation Authority and the Ministry of Defence have allowed private operators to establish eight […]

June 16, 2012 (LBO) – Dubai’s Emirates Airlines opened a new 200 million rupee premium lounge at Sri Lanka’s main airport, catering to scores of wealthy travellers who use Colombo as a transit hub or as a growing upmarket tourist destination, officials said. International hotel chains like the Sheraton and Shangri-La have signed up to […]

June 15, 2012 (LBO) – Sri Lanka’s state-run SriLankan Airlines, is doubling flights to main Chinese cities by July and is eyeing more secondary destinations to capitalize on growing links with the Asian powerhouse, an official said. Sri Lanka’s national flag carrier currently flies over 10 times a week to China, from about three flights […]

June 11, 2012 (LBO) – Sri Lanka’s state-run SriLankan Airlines will join ‘oneworld’ next year with Cathay Pacific taking it through an implementation program as its sponsor, the global alliance of air carriers said. Sri Lanka’s capital Colombo is already served by oneworld members Cathay Pacific and Royal Jordanian, and member designate Malaysia Airlines. SriLankan’s […]

June 09, 2012 (LBO) – Thai AirAsia (TAA) has cut its newly launched flights to Sri Lanka to three a week from June following lower than expected demand on the Colombo Bangkok route, a media report said. But Sri Lanka is now attracting more tourists after the end of a 30-year war. TAA chief executive […]

June 01, 2012 (LBO) – Tiger Airways, has started flying to Sri Lanka three times a week with the first flight touching down Colombo at 2205 on May 31, the Singapore-based budget carrier said. Tiger Airways operates the service to Colombo three times a week on Tuesday, Thursday and Sunday. “Singapore is now a hop […]

May 25, 2012 (LBO) – Makaysia’s AirAsia, a low cost carrier said profits for the March 2012 rose 4 percent to 167.97 million Ringgit, with revenues growing 11 percent to 1.17 billion rigging. “We have defied industry trends again by achieving a 4 percent growth in net operating profit,” chief executive Tony Fernandes said in […]

May 25, 2012 (LBO) – State-run SriLankan Airlines said it had taken delivery of an Airbus A320 increasing the type to eight aircraft and the fleet to 21 and two floatplanes for domestic services. The airline has seven A330s and six A340s, and two De Havilland Twin Otters. The new A320 will set 20 business […]

May 10, 2012 (LBO) – Dubai-based Emirates airlines group said profits in the year to March 2012 rose 17.8 percent to 629 million US dollars, thought profits at the core airline fell amid with higher fuel prices. Group revenues rose 17.8 percent to 18.4 billion dollars. The group had gained control of Travel Republic Ltd, […]

May 04, 2012 (LBO) – SriLankan Airlines on Friday extended wings to the northern tip of the island, opening a branch in the Jaffna Peninsula. The state-run airline said the office will facilitate travel arrangements for a large clientele in the Jaffna and Kilinochchi areas. Considering the increasing customer base for air travel to and […]

May 02, 2012 (LBO) Budget carrier AirAsia, its long-haul arm AirAsiaX and Malaysian Airline System (MAS) have aborted a stock swap but will form joint ventures in procurement and aircraft maintenance to cut costs and meet competition. AirAsia said key shareholder Tune Air and Khazanah Nasional will unwind a share swap deal signed in August […]