
SriLankan Airlines paid US$ 9 million (Rs. 2.6 billion) monthly for three grounded aircraft over a three-year period due to a lack of engine spare parts, according to Transport Minister Bimal Rathnayake.
One of the grounded aircraft is now operational, and the remaining two are expected to be in use by April.
The minister confirmed that the new government has abandoned plans to privatize SriLankan Airlines.
“The airline will be developed under a business plan currently being formulated,” Minister Rathnayake stated.
The Civil Aviation Authority is set to introduce new guidelines to foster the growth of the domestic airline industry.
SriLankan Airlines reported a profit exceeding Rs. 3 billion for the financial year 2023/2024, mainly due to the rupee’s appreciation against the US dollar.