SriLankan Airlines finds solution for Airbus aircraft
View(s):SriLankan Airlines has managed to secure a settlement for its aircraft MSN 1008 – A330-220, which the airline had to accept in 2017 as part of the cancellation of the A350 order. Final negotiations have resulted in a saving of US$5.8 million for the airline, company officials told the Business Times.
Accordingly, a settlement of $5.8 million for engine repairs and airframe defect rectification, and cabin modification was offered by the lessor.
Airline CEO Vipula Gunatilleka said: “Our engineering and legal teams have worked tirelessly during the last six months to achieve this result.”
SriLankan was compelled to induct an Airbus 330-200 aircraft which was manufactured in 2009, bearing the serial number MSN 1008 in 2017 as part of the conditions agreed upon between the previous management of the airline and the aircraft lessor, as a settlement against the cancellation of the order of four new Airbus 350-900 aircraft.
The airline was unable to deploy this aircraft on any of its long-haul routes such as London, Melbourne and Japan given that its cabin configuration was not suitable, having too many seats and minimum space between seats in the Business Class cabin. The airline was operating this aircraft only on short sectors such as India and West Asia. With the anticipated modifications and maintenance, the airline looks forward to deploying the aircraft in its future operations.