Sri Lankan Airlines Delays/ Cancellations

[Melburnian1]

Wednesday 6 July 2022 finds UL605, the 1820 hours MEL - CMB (A333 4R-ALO) having taken off at 2106 hours, so Thursday 7 suggested at gate arrival is 0248 hours, 133 minutes tardy. With the disastrous economy there and oil shortages, is Sri Lankan Airlines having to refuel offshore more often than in normal times? I'm glad I've visited this island a few short years ago, as times sure are tough in 2022 for its people.

 

[Melburnian1]

Sri Lanka has deteriorated badly socially and economically since I visited a few short years ago. I thought it attractive and peaceful at the time, having no prescience about how a ban on using fertiliser would be a major factor in the nation experiencing upheaval, although the huge debt owed to mainland communist China due to the port no longer being in Sri Lankan hands must also be contributing.

UL604, the CMB - MEL flight due daily into the latter, and UL606 that ought arrived in SYD at 1710 are regularly making what must be a fuel stop in India's TRV. Many media articles have highlighted the desperate fuel shortage in Sri Lanka. London-bound flights are refuelling in Cochin, a pleasant airport.

 

[Melburnian1]

UL605 (1610 hours afternoon MEL up to CMB on Friday 5 August) was expected to depart at 1905 but the delay is extending beyond that.

 

[Melburnian1]

4R-ALN (A333 aircraft) on Saturday 6 August 2022's UL605 (1610 hours MEL - CMB) took off at 2348 so Sunday 7 arrival at gate was 0534 hours, 299 minutes late.

The woes continue, as UL604 inbound is refuelling at India's southern airport of unpronounceable TRV, so this morning this 0020 hours flight was initially in the sky over CMB at 0043 (on time) but was in TRV until takeoff at 0237 hours, so MEL arrival should be 1643, seven minutes early on the slowed schedule but impossible to 'make' her 1610 hours scheduled northeast bound departure timely.

Having been to Sri Lanka a few years ago and India more recently, it's sad (and while cautious of overuse of the word, tragic) to see the demise of Sri Lanka that at the time of my visit seemed on the surface to be functioning fairly well. Fuel supply in recent months has been a huge issue.

 

[Melburnian1]

The Federal Government is paying for millions of A$ of fuel for the Sri Lankan navy so it can conduct patrols of illegal immigrants' boats.

This must not have extended to assistance for airlines (not that one expect it to) as UL continues to be late each day into MEL due to the deviation to India (TRV) to refuel. On Monday 8 August 2022, A333 4R-ALP is again on this tour of duty with at gate arrival suggested as 1845 hours, 115 minutes late.

 

[clifford]

This must not have extended to assistance for airlines (not that one expect it to) as UL continues to be late each day into MEL due to the deviation to India (TRV) to refuel. On Monday 8 August 2022, A333 4R-ALP is again on this tour of duty with at gate arrival suggested as 1845 hours, 115 minutes late.

You have to wonder how much longer this can go on...

 

[Melburnian1]

You have to wonder how much longer this can go on...

Unfortunately it's related to a previous policy to ban fertilsers in Sri Lanka that reduced crop yields, and other factors like the supply of money rapidly rising. So 'who knows' is the unsatisfying answer. It reminds me of a trip to South America with rampant inflation: I paid for an AeroPeru flight with a huge stack of notes.

This daily diversion must be costing Sri Lankan Airlines a lot, and it's already in a very poor financial position.

 

[Melburnian1]

On Sunday 21 August 2022, UL605, the 1610 hours MEL-CMB was airborne at 1937 with A333 4R-ALM. Arrival should be at 0129 hours, 54 late, on Monday 22. A lot of time being picked up!

 

[Melburnian1]

You have to wonder how much longer this can go on...

Here perhaps is your answer.

Something I've only just noticed, but which may have been occurring for more than a week, is how UL601 inbound from CMB to SYD is 'doing the triangle', calling first in Melbourne. Most unusual these days, but perhaps a way to take on fuel?

Whatever, on Saturday 10 September 2022 the 0020 hours CMB-MEL-SYD UL601 was airborne more or less on time at 0045 hours. It was in MEL from 1424 to takeoff at 1704, with SYD arrival estimated as 1819 hours, 54 late. Aircraft is A333 4R-ALO. This forms a continuation, due out of SYD at 1845 back to CMB.

Years ago a couple of airlines routinely did this triangular routing. PR was one, and used to alternate MNL-MEL-SYD-MNL with MNL-SYD-MEL-MNL.

 

[Melburnian1]

On Tuesday 20 December 2022, UL607 (1710 hours late afternoon SYD up to CMB) took off at 1817 with A333 4R-ALL. Arrival at gate is estimated as 2334, 59 minutes behind the timetable.

 

[Melburnian1]

Saturday 20 May 2023 finds the SYD-CMB UL607 (1610 hours scheduled ex SYD) taking off at 1858 in the early evening with A333 4R-ALN. Arrival at gate should be at around 0116 hours on Sunday 21, which would be 141 minutes tardy.

 

[Melburnian1]

UK606 (A333 4R-ALN) is the 0005 hours just after midnight CMB to SYD on Saturday 10 June 2023 that was in the sky at 0127 hours.

SYD arrival should be at around 1529, 34 minutes late. UL607, the 1610 hours back to CMB will be delayed. The allowed 75 minute turnaround is unrealistic, and surprising that an airline would timetable it this way (assuming of course that there's a vacant alternative slot available later, perhaps challenging on some weekdays given flights departing between 1600 and 1859 are at what we might call the 'afternoon peak' to use a railway term).

 

[Melburnian1]

UL606 (the 0005 hours CMB-SYD on Saturday 17 June) took off at 0125 hours, so A333 4R-ALR should arrive at about 1527 mid afternoon,32 late.

UPDATE: On Saturday, the returning flight UL607 (1610 hours) was in the sky at 1649 so CMB arrival should be at about 2328 hours, 33 late.