Airlines

world’s largest passenger airline, Airbus A380 made a rare landing in Sri Lanka

In order to refuel, the Emirates Airbus A380 flight that was travelling from Auckland, New Zealand to Dubai made an early morning landing at Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA). The arrival of the plane at the BIA was greeted by airport representatives. The plane’s passengers did not depart while it was being refuelled.

According to reports, the Aircraft A380 received 62,800 litres of Jet A-1 type fuel worth Rs. 16.8 million from the Ceylon Petroleum Corporation store at the BIA.

Russia’s Aeroflot resumes flights to Sri Lanka(Opens in a new browser tab)

Sri Lanka last received an Airbus A380 in 2019. The BIA’s runway underwent renovation in 2017 to accommodate Airbus A380 aircraft.

In case of a delay in landing owing to foggy weather prevailing in the area of the Dubai airport, the pilots of this jet had made the decision to refuel while en route to Dubai. The refuelling process took around an hour and forty minutes, and at 4:50 am , the plane departed for Dubai from Katunayake airport.

First retrofitted Emirates A380 enters service(Opens in a new browser tab)

Emirates A380 remains the most talked-about passenger aircraft in the world today. And it is the world’s largest A380 operator. In 2023 Emirates’A380 features the latest products and interiors across all cabins. Including 56 Premium Economy class seats on the main deck, and new colour palettes evident in the carpeting and wall panels. On the upper deck, First and Business Class seats sport Emirates’ latest cream-coloured leather upholstery and lighter-toned wood finishing, similar to the airline’s ‘game changer’ product. Emirates’ signature ghaf tree motif also features prominently throughout the interiors, including hand-stencilled panels in the First Class Shower Spa.

Airlines

PIA Reinstates Manchester and Paris Routes After EU Ban Lift

Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) has announced plans to resume flights to Europe starting in January, beginning with Paris as its first destination.

The decision follows the European Union Aviation Safety Agency’s (EASA) removal of a long-standing ban on the airline. PIA’s inaugural flight to Paris is scheduled for January 10, with bookings opening on December 9.

DOT Proposes New Passenger Compensation Rules for Flight Disruptions

In an official statement, PIA spokesperson Abdullah Hafeez Khan confirmed that the first flight schedule has been approved, marking a significant milestone in the airline’s recovery efforts. The EU ban had previously cost PIA approximately Rs40 billion ($144 million) annually in lost revenue, compounding its financial struggles.

With European operations restarting, PIA is now setting its sights on the United Kingdom. The airline plans to seek approval from the UK Department for Transport (DfT) to resume flights to major British cities such as London, Manchester, and Birmingham.

Top 10 Best Airlines in the World by AirHelp Survey

These routes are anticipated to see high demand once necessary clearances are obtained. The lifting of the EU ban represents a key achievement for PIA as it works to rebuild its international network and regain its standing in the global aviation market.

By restoring flights to Europe and aiming for UK destinations, PIA is taking critical steps toward recovering lost ground and improving its financial outlook.