Sri Lankan Airlines Delays/ Cancellations

[Melburnian1]

On Wednesday 14 January 2026, UL605 from MEL to CMB (A333 4R-ALN) took off at 1853 hours despite timetabled departure being 1725. Gate arrival looks like 2334 hours, 70 late. UL's timekeeping is sporadic.

 

[Melburnian1]

On Friday 16 January 2026, UL605, the scheduled 1725 hours MEL-CMB (A333 4R-ALP) took off at 1802 hours but only flew as far as Tintinara in South Australia before diverting back to MEL, and eventually taking off for a second time at 2121, arriving CMB on Saturday 17 at 0146 hours, 206 minutes late.

It then formed the 0025 hours UL604 back to MEL, becoming airborne at 0322 with gate arrival on Saturday 17 at 1810 hours, 135 late. Now, it's operating UL605 back to CMB, in the sky at 1853 with an 0027 hours Sunday 18 gate arrival likely, 127 minutes late.

 

[Melburnian1]

The 0005 hours Saturday 31 January 2026 UL606 with A333 4R-ALL from CMB to SYD took off at 0107 hours. Gate arrival becomes 1650, an even hour behind schedule.

 

[Melburnian1]

Of the sample I've monitored during teh last few weeks, UL flights into and out of Sydney and Melbourne have largely had good timekeeping.

However Sunday 16 August 2026 differs, with UL606 (the just after midnight 0005 hours CMB down to SYD, A332 4R-ALH) having taken off at 0148 hours, with arrival at gate likely this afternoon at 1614 hours, 94 minutes behind schedule.

This will delay the timetabled 1610 hours UL607 to at least 1740 in pushback.

Yesterday the same plane operated identical flight numbers with SYD arrival at 1545, 65 behind.

Two days ago, this aircraft was also on the same roster but managed to arrive in SYD only 14 minutes late.

 

[Melburnian1]

On Sunday 27 September 2026, UL606, the 0005 hours just after midnight CMB down to SYD took off at 0139 hours. A333 4R-ALR should arrive at 1546 hours, 66 minutes late. On Saturday 26, the same aircraft A333 4R-ALR ran this service and was almost identically late, meaning it did not arrive back in Colombo until 2344 hours last night, so the 0005 hours to SYD today was never going to be punctual.