SriLankan Airlines told to cancel Airbus orders
Sri Lanka's prime minister has instructed debt-ridden SriLankan Airlines to cancel 4 of 8 Airbus A350 aircraft orders, and seek revival via a new international partner. He said the govt is determining whether there will be any cost of cancellation, and that SriLankan will continue to buy the other 4 aircraft which Airbus has started building. SriLankan Airlines was a profitable 10-year joint venture with Emirates until the pair split in 2008. Mismanagement in the years since has left it with a debt of around US$3.25b, the prime minister said. "If it continues as it is, SriLankan will collapse which will have an adverse impact on the economy and tourism," he said. "We cannot allow that to happen. We have decided to seek a new partner." The airline has bought 7 Airbus A330-300s since 2012 to replace its fleet, before ordering the 8 A350s. <br/>
https://portal.staralliance.com/cms/news/hot-topics/2016-04-27/oneworld/srilankan-airlines-told-to-cancel-airbus-orders
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SriLankan Airlines told to cancel Airbus orders
Sri Lanka's prime minister has instructed debt-ridden SriLankan Airlines to cancel 4 of 8 Airbus A350 aircraft orders, and seek revival via a new international partner. He said the govt is determining whether there will be any cost of cancellation, and that SriLankan will continue to buy the other 4 aircraft which Airbus has started building. SriLankan Airlines was a profitable 10-year joint venture with Emirates until the pair split in 2008. Mismanagement in the years since has left it with a debt of around US$3.25b, the prime minister said. "If it continues as it is, SriLankan will collapse which will have an adverse impact on the economy and tourism," he said. "We cannot allow that to happen. We have decided to seek a new partner." The airline has bought 7 Airbus A330-300s since 2012 to replace its fleet, before ordering the 8 A350s. <br/>
