Sri Lanka’s Harshana Suriyapperuma, the deputy minister of finance and planning, announced a five-year plan for SriLankan Airlines aimed at expanding the fleet from 22 to 52 aircraft by 2030 while doubling revenues beyond $2bn.
The government will support SriLankan Airlines with legacy debt and interest payments, but will not cover routine operational losses, pushing the airline towards self-sufficiency.
The airline is currently in pursuit of six propeller aircraft as it explores various options for fleet enhancement and seeks to finalise its aircraft type.
Suriyapperuma expressed concerns over previous decisions related to high lease rates, particularly highlighting costs associated with grounded aircraft, while urging a shift towards profitability and restructuring of dollar-denominated debts.
rilankaThe airline received a setback when New York Mayor Eric Adams said the city will close its asylum arrival centre and emergency relief shelter at the PIA-owned Roosevelt Hotel, a contract worth $220m in valuable foreign currency at the airline.
