Sri Lanka's deputy minister of finance and planning, Harshana Suriyapperuma, says state-owned SriLankan Airlines (UL, Colombo International) will embark on five-year plan this year with the goal, among others, of growing to 52 aircraft and doubling revenues from the current sub-US$1b mark to more than US$2b. Speaking in Sri Lanka's parliament on February 25, Suriyapperuma said the airline's management were under instructions to make the carrier a self-sustaining entity. While the government will assist with legacy debt and interest payments, it will be less forthcoming about covering day-to-day operational shortfalls. SriLankan Airlines is currently seeking six propeller aircraft, the minister said and, per the new plan, will increase its fleet from the current 22 aircraft to 52 by 2030. ch-aviation understands there is no firm pathway on achieving this number. However, the carrier is working on various options. The airline also has a "view on the (propeller) aircraft type," but it needs finalising. Suriyapperuma was also critical of historical decisions to pay above-market lease rates and cited an example of SriLankan paying USD900,000 per month for three aircraft that have sat on the ground "for several years." It is unclear which specific aircraft he was referring to.<br/>