SriLankan Airlines' sudden publicity blitz amidst numerous complications

EARLY this month, the islanders were treated to a feel-good cheer when the national carrier SriLankan Airlines (SLA) newly added Airbus A330-200 aircraft performed a rare, low-altitude flyover from Colombo Port City to Panadura, providing the masses a clear view of the newest addition to the state-owned carrier's fleet.

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The well-thought-out PR exercise captivated the interest of the general public, but it cannot cover up the severe operational and financial constraints the airline is embattled with.

Despite the euphoria created by the extensive propaganda, the top leadership of the beleaguered carrier took a conscious effort to refrain from disclosing the fact that the latest addition to its fleet is a 13.7-year-old Airbus A330-200, which had been leased from Carlyle Aviation Partners, apart from declining to reveal the value of its monthly rental - $360,000.

Unfortunately, whatever the positive image the Government-owned airline firm was able to generate from its grandiose media hype disappeared in no time when its UL (which some mockingly refer to as Usually Late) 306 flight bound for Singapore was forced to make an emergency landing in Indonesia due to a technical fault just days after the showy display of its latest aeroplane. Passengers who were frustrated by the mid-air diversion had complained about lack of communication, poor facilities, and prolonged delays at the airport in Indonesia.