SriLankan Airlines Plans Major Fleet Expansion to 50 Aircraft

1 month ago Editor

SriLankan Airlines plans to expand its fleet to 50 aircraft within five years, aiming to strengthen its operational capacity and support the country’s growing tourism sector.

SriLankan Airlines has outlined an ambitious plan to expand its fleet to 50 aircraft over the next five years, aligning with the country’s tourism revenue target of $10 billion by 2030. The airline, which operated 27 aircraft before the pandemic and currently has 22, aims to boost its operational capacity significantly.

CEO Richard Nuttall confirmed the expansion strategy during a recent event, stating that the airline plans to increase capacity by 25-30% by the end of 2025. The initial phase includes acquiring three wide-body aircraft through wet lease arrangements.

This expansion marks a shift in government policy, as the newly elected administration scrapped previous privatization plans in favor of a five-year corporate revival strategy. However, SriLankan Airlines continues to face financial hurdles. In the first quarter of 2024/2025, the airline reported a 12.7% revenue decline and a net loss of Rs. 12.9 billion, despite Treasury-backed financial support.

With growing demand for air travel, SriLankan Airlines remains a key player in the region, accounting for the highest passenger traffic in December 2023 across seven out of the top ten source markets. The airline’s leadership emphasizes the need for consistent tourism policies to support long-term growth.