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SriLankan takes delivery of first A320neo
March 3rd 2017
Government-controlled SriLankan Airlines this week took delivery of the first of six on-order A320neo Family aircraft earmarked for regional growth within Asia and the Middle East. Read More » The aircraft is on lease from Air Lease Corporation (ALC).
The oneworld member will accept its second A320neo in April, two larger A321neos in the second quarter, an A321neo in the fourth quarter and the final A321neo in the first three months of 2018. All its neos will be powered by CFM International LEAP-1A engines.
SriLankan’s A320neo seats 150 passengers in a two-class layout: 12 business and 138 economy class seats. Initially, it will be flown from its Colombo hub to Kuala Lumpur and Muscat.
SriLankan Airlines chairman, Ajith Dias, said: “Our airline realigned its strategic focus during the last quarter of 2016 to capitalize on market opportunities in the rapidly growing travel and tourism industry in Asia, which included the launch of services to 11 destinations throughout the Indian Ocean and Middle East regions.
“The arrival of the A320neo and A321neo aircraft will better align our fleet to this objective, as these aircraft are more suited to our medium-haul operations, while we already possess an excellent fleet of A330 aircraft for our long-haul routes.”
The struggling carrier also has taken delivery of seven A330-300s in 2016, adding to its six existing -200s. It cancelled contracts for four A350s leases last year and is expected to officially cancel four A350s on direct order from Airbus although the aircraft remain listed in Airbus’ order book.
