SriLankan Airlines has taken delivery of the first of five Airbus A320s, its first new aircraft in more than four years, as it launches a fleet renewal programme.

A second aircraft is scheduled to arrive this month, with a third and fourth likely to be obtained in the first quarter of 2009 and the airline intends to acquire a fifth in the next financial year.

Manoj Gunawardena, SriLankan’s CEO, said: “The arrival of this aircraft is a significant milestone in the history of SriLankan Airlines. It signals the launch of our re-fleeting programme, which is an integral part of our strategy to turn the airline around and bring it back to profitability. The re-fleeting is projected to bring about significant cost savings to the airline in both fuel and maintenance, and also enhance flight punctuality.”

Source: Routes News