SRI LANKA: SriLankan Airlines Operational Safety Audit Registration 2018-2019 Not Renewed By International Air Transport Association (IATA).

SriLankan Airlines revealed that its fleet has one Airbus A330-200 aircraft bearing the serial number MSN-1008 and CAASL registration number 4R ALS that is not currently being used due to several reasons.

The airline said they have removed one of the engines from this aircraft and fitted it to another aircraft as one of its engines is undergoing some maintenance work.

SriLankan Airlines, however, said the management is exploring the possibility of sub-leasing this aircraft to a charter operator or to another airline.

These parts would be replaced prior to the aircraft being leased to another airline, once such a lease agreement is signed for the use of this aircraft, the airline said.

The present management stresses that it was not involved in the decisions with regard to the ordering of the A350-900 aircraft, which took place in 2013; or the cancellation of the order in 2016; or of the acquisition of the A330-200 aircraft 4R ALS which is unsuitable for the airline’s present business model.

The clarification came after the press reported that SriLankan’s operational safety audit registration has not renewed by International Air Transport Association (IATA).

The newspaper reported that the airline has not renewed SriLankan Airlines’ registration for 2018-2019 under its Operational Safety Audit (IOSA), prompting several foreign operators to suspend code-sharing with the carrier until it complies with IATA strictures.

The full statement is reproduced below.

Airbus A330-200 aircraft 4R ALS

Colombo, January 18, 2019: SriLankan Airlines wishes to clarify its position with regard to the utilization of one of its Airbus A330-200 aircraft bearing the serial number MSN-1008 and CAASL registration number 4R ALS.

This aircraft was acquired in 2017 as part of the conditions agreed to between the previous management of the airline and aircraft lessor Aercap, as a settlement against the cancellation of the order of four new Airbus A350-900 aircraft.

However, the cabin configuration of this aircraft, which was manufactured in 2009, is not suitable for SriLankan Airlines’ operations, having many seats and minimum space between seats in its Business Class cabin.

All other aircraft in the SriLankan Airlines fleet operate a two-class configuration of Business and Economy classes, with a particular standard of comfort in seating.

The previous management therefore took a decision to lease this aircraft to a European airline. However, after some time, this European airline violated the lease agreement by defaulting on the lease payments.

The lessee also did not fulfill its obligations under the lease contract to prepare the aircraft for the handover. The engineering team at SriLankan performed the required maintenance checks to make the aircraft ready to fly.

The management is also exploring the possibility of sub-leasing this aircraft to a charter operator or to another airline. Until such time, the aircraft remains at BIA as part of the SriLankan fleet, although it is not in use due to the above-mentioned reasons.

It is a standard practice in most airlines that various interchangeable parts or components such as the engines that are urgently required for an operational aircraft are taken out of aircraft that are not in immediate use, if such parts are not at the time in stock in the airline’s spare parts stores.

SriLankan has removed one of the engines from this aircraft and fitted it to another aircraft as one of its engines is undergoing some maintenance work. These parts would be replaced prior to the aircraft being leased to another airline, once such a lease agreement is signed for the use of this aircraft.

The present management of SriLankan Airlines wishes to stress that it was not involved in the decisions with regard to the ordering of the A350-900 aircraft, which took place in 2013; or the cancellation of the order in 2016; or of the acquisition of the A330-200 aircraft 4R ALS which is unsuitable for the airline’s present business model.

The management is attempting to optimize the usage and return on investment on this aircraft, as with any other asset of the airline. Management is also taking the necessary steps to recover the losses to the airline from the relevant parties.


Tourism Observer

TURKEY: Onur Air Leases Three Airbus A321 Aircraft From Vallair

Vallair, the aircraft trading, leasing and specialist MRO organisation has completed lease transactions for three Airbus A321 aircraft with Onur Air in Turkey.

The first of these three aircraft, purchased from AerCap together with its engines, was delivered to Onur Air in May with a lease term of 18 months. The second aircraft, also purchased from AerCap, is being leased as an airframe only and was delivered to Turkey at the start of June.

The final aircraft (MSN 835), purchased from Aviation Capital Group (ACG), was also leased to Onur Air as an airframe only and is part of an acquisition release novation contract completed in April with a short-term lease of 6 months.

In addition to these three aircraft, Onur Air are also in possession of a V2500-A5 engine under lease with Vallair.

Onur Air operates a combination of commercial and charter flights to a range of domestic and international destinations, scheduled and non-scheduled, out of its main hubs Atatürk Airport in Istanbul and Antalya Airport in Antalya, Turkey.

The airline operates a fleet solely consisting of Airbus family aircraft, including A320s, A321s and A330s. Onur Air also provides wet-lease service to Saudi Arabian Airways for Hajj and Umrah operations with its A330s.

A consistent expansion programme and continuous fleet renewal are crucial for the airline’s development strategy in line with the gradual recovery of Turkey’s tourism industry.

These transactions will support Onur Air’s development by allowing them to optimise operations while limiting their overall cost base.

We are pleased to have these three Airbus A321 aircraft delivered to Onur Air, with whom we have a long-standing and strong relationship, comments Anca Mihalache, Head of Vallair’s Trading & Leasing Business Unit.

MSN 974 will serve as part of our feedstock for the Company’s developing Airbus A321-200 P2F cargo conversion programme.

Vallair is committed to maximising the life and value of assets by providing cost-effective and flexible leasing solutions to operators seeking to strengthen and sustain their business.

As demand for aircraft leasing continues to grow, Vallair is heavily focused on the development of its portfolio of leased assets as part of the Company’s wider growth strategy.

This fleet expansion programme, coupled with Vallair’s involvement in the P2F cargo conversion programme, demonstrates the Company’s foresight and capacity to forge innovative leasing solutions and deliver assets that meet the current and future needs of operators around the world.


Tourism Observer

CHINA: China Southern Airlines Acquires First 787-9, To Start Kunming-Islamabad Flights

China Southern Airlines' first Boeing 787-9 has been delivered to its Guangzhou headquarters, joining a fleet of 10 787-8s.

The aircraft is configured with 28 business and 269 economy class seats, and features on-board connectivity that will be available to all passengers.

The airline says that it will operate the aircraft on long-haul routes.

All of the SkyTeam carrier’s 787s are powered by General Electric GEnx-1B engines.

China Southern has a further 19 787-9s on order, which are coming from a mix of direct orders and via lessors AerCap and Air Lease.

Deliveries of those jets are scheduled out to 2020.

Meanwhile, China Southern Airlines Co. Ltd will be starting flights between Kunming and Islamabad from mid of this year.

This was underlined in a meeting of the Airline’s Executives with Pakistan’s Consul General to Chengdu, Muhammad Mudassir Tipu.

The delegation of the airlines Tuesday met the CG in Kunming, capital of Yunnan province, and included Hu Yaohui, Director International Marketing, Ma Yun Deputy Manager and airline’s staff.

China Southern Airlines operates the largest fleet, most developed route network and largest passenger capacity of any airline in China.

The Airline fleet is ranked the first in Asia and the fourth in the world.

It operates more than 2000 daily flights to 224 destinations in 40 countries and regions across the world.

Hu Yaohui in the meeting underscored that, given the depth and breadth of China-Pakistan relations, Pakistan’s strategic location, it’s tourism potential, as well as Pakistan’s economic growth the China Southern had been planning to start three-day-a-week flights from June this year.

The flight will fly on Guangzhou-Kunming-Islamabad route.

The Kunming-Islamabad route’s flight time will be nearly four hour while the return flight will take five hours’.

He added that with commencement of this flight trade, economic, commercial, and tourism ties will expand between China and Pakistan and the broader region.

He hoped that passengers would be able to transit from Islamabad to other Middle Eastern countries via this flight.

The China Southern has approached the Chinese government to authorize start of the flight, the Director maintained.

The Consul General, Muhammad Mudassir Tipu welcomed the start of the flight and emphasized that it was a clear demonstration that Pakistan’s relations with China were vigorously expanding in a host of areas.

The CG hoped that as a consequence of CPEC and OBOR initiatives, as well as Pakistan’s growth trajectory, wider economic and commercial opportunities will be generated necessitating enhanced connectivity between Pakistan and the western China.

The CG underlined that in recent years Pakistan’s tourism industry was significantly flourishing and direct flights will provide impetus to both Pakistan and China’s tourism potential.

The CG offered full co-operation and support to the Airlines for smooth operations of the flight and hoped that Airlines will continue to deepen and expand its relations with Pakistan in future.


Tourism Observer

Azerbaijan Airlines To Purchase Four 787-8 Dreamliners At The Paris Air Show.

Azerbaijan Airlines, the flag carrier of Azerbaijan, announced a commitment to purchase four 787-8 Dreamliners at the Paris Air Show.

The value of the order is $918 million dollars. Azerbaijan Airlines currently has two 787s in service. The new aircraft will grow the Azerbaijan 787 fleet to six aircraft total.

The decision to order additional 787 Dreamliners represents significant growth opportunities for Azerbaijan Airlines, said Jahangir Askerov, president of AZAL. As one of the leading CIS carriers, we look forward to expanding our network with proven performance capabilities that the 787 provides.

Continuing the dream! Thanks to @azalofficial for committing to 4 more #Boeing 787 #Dreamliner airplanes! https://t.co/GHRntwOlIp #PAS17 pic.twitter.com/gj2y4M6BM4

— Boeing Airplanes (@BoeingAirplanes) June 20, 2017

While Azerbaijan plans to use these 787s to expand its long-haul operations, it may use the new aircraft to replace two A340-500s that it operates.

Today’s commitment opens a new chapter in our partnership with Azerbaijan Airlines, said Marty Bentrott, vice president of Sales, Middle East, Turkey, Russia and Central Asia, Boeing Commercial Airplanes.

We are confident that the market-leading efficiency and comfort of their new 787 Dreamliners will contribute to Azerbaijan’s fleet modernization plans and build onto their long-term success for many years to come.

Azerbaijan Airways is an aviation leader in the CIS region. The airline currently operates 23 aircraft in its commercial division out of its Baku hub.

The order is one of many announced by Boeing at this week’s Paris Air Show. On Monday, Boeing announced it sold 30 787-9s to AerCap.

ETHIOPIA: Ethiopian Airlines To Order 10 More Airbus As First A350-900 Takes Shape

Ethiopian Airlines, which ordered 14 Airbus A350-900 last year, has said it plans to order at least 10 more in the next two year as its first one takes shape on the final assembly line in Toulouse, France.

The airline’s Chief Executive, Tewolde Gebremariam, said the state-owned company expects to receive the first A350-900 in May next year. He said the delivery date for the first 14 Airbus could be fast tracked to 2016-17 from the initial target of 2016-18.

“We haven’t been able to quantify the right numbers but definitely we are going to order more. At least more than 10,” Gebremariam said.

The Africa’s most profitable airline will become the first African carrier to operate an Airbus A350.

According to Air Transport World, the first A350-900 of two that will be leased from AerCap, is quickly taking shape and will arrive at Addis Ababa’s Bole International airport on “November 11 as part of its Middle East- Ethiopia demonstration flight tour”.

“The Airbus A350 XWB MSN2 will be arriving at Addis Ababa’s Bole International Airport on Nov. 11 as part of its Middle East-Ethiopia demonstration flight tour,” Airbus said.

“The Ethiopia carrier will deploy the aircraft on its expanding route network linking the East African nation with Asia and America.”

currently has 77 planes, including 13 Boeing 787-8 Dreamliners. It has placed orders for 50 planes altogether, including six more Dreamliners.