SriLankan Airlines Adds First New Widebody in Seven Years

SriLankan Airlines has taken delivery of its first new widebody aircraft in seven years, adding much-needed capacity amid a prolonged fleet shortfall. The A330-200, registered 4R-ALT (msn 1261), arrived in Colombo on June 3 under an eight-year lease from Carlyle Aviation Partners. The 260-seat, two-class aircraft was previously operated by Fly Gangwon and Garuda Indonesia.

Chairman Sarath Ganegoda welcomed the delivery as a milestone and credited the previous board and government for initiating the lease. However, he criticized earlier decisions to cancel widebody orders and the airline’s failure to maintain a pipeline of incoming aircraft. “It’s not easy to compete with our current hardware,” he said. “We can’t afford brand-new, state-of-the-art aircraft.”

Ganegoda confirmed that negotiations are underway to acquire at least two more aircraft by year-end, though he did not specify the types. SriLankan Airlines is grappling with aircraft shortages caused by engine issues, expiring leases, and previously canceled orders.

The airline had previously approved a lease plan for four A330s in April 2024, including two from ORIX Aviation and two from Aergo Capital. However, that plan was later canceled. The airline also abandoned a 2013 order for four A350-900s and six A330-300s, citing procurement irregularities. Ganegoda says SriLankan is now seeking compensation from Airbus over the failed A350 deal.

The carrier currently operates 23 aircraft, all leased. With support from Sri Lanka’s President and Finance Minister Anura Kumara Dissanayake, the airline aims to double its fleet within five years. The newly arrived A330-200 is expected to begin revenue service in mid-June.

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Sources: AirGuide Business airguide.info, bing.com, ch-aviation.com