SriLankan Airlines (UL, Colombo International) has rebutted claims financial issues have forced it to ground aircraft, calling such assertations "misleading." The airline says a worldwide shortage of engines for narrowbody Airbus aircraft and long wait times for repairs are why they have so many planes parked on the ground.
Two months ago, ch-aviation reported that three narrowbody Airbus were grounded due to CFM International engine supply issues. Those aircraft remain out-of-service and Colombo-based media are now reporting that a further two are also not flying.
One A321-200N registered as 4R-ANF (msn 8106), one A320-200N registered as 4R-ANA (msn 7486), along with an A321-200 registered as 4R-ABQ (msn 3397) were confirmed as grounded in February. Colombo's Daily Mirror outlet is reporting that two A321-200Ns are now also grounded, including 4R-AND (msn 7697) and 4R-ANE (msn 7891). ch-aviation fleets data indicates a second A320-200N registered as 4R-ANB (msn 7535) is also out of service. These grounded planes, which all employ LEAP-1A32 engines, represent half of SriLankan Airlines' narrowbody fleet, with just one A321neo and five A320-200s still in the air. In addition, one A330-200 and one A330-300 are listed as inactive.
The Daily Mirror cites an unnamed source saying the groundings were due to a lack of funds preventing ongoing maintenance of the engines. However, SriLankan Airlines says this is incorrect. "The aircraft are on ground owing to a global shortage and not because of a lack of finances as incorrectly stated in some news reports," reads a statement. "The aircraft, belonging to the Airbus A320N family, are currently awaiting engines after shop visits as the global industry faces a shortage of engines and long lead times for engine repairs for this type of aircraft as a result of a technical reliability issue. SriLankan Airlines is currently working with its suppliers to work out a solution and the global supply of engines is also expected to improve in the months ahead."
