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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Hashan dis" data-source="post: 19539934" data-attributes="member: 124785">SriLankan Airlines, the first Asian airline to operate the  four-engine Airbus A340 aircraft, will bid goodbye to the last of its  A340s after more than two decades in service, with a final commercial  flight today, (January 7, 2016). SriLankan introduced the A340 on 1st September 1994, at the time when  it was the most sophisticated aircraft manufactured by Airbus  Industrie. Over this 21-year period, a total of seven A340s have served  the Airline, and were for many years the mainstay of its long haul  fleet. The national carrier has inducted a brand new fleet of seven  sophisticated A330-300 aircraft which offer the latest comforts and  technology such as mood lighting, on-board Wifi connectivity, and the  most sophisticated inflight entertainment system. SriLankan Airlines, Chief Executive Officer, Captain Suren Ratwatte  said, “The A340s played a vital role in our network expansion for the  last two decades. This allowed the national carrier to explore new  markets, thereby contributing to the country’s economy by bringing in  more tourists. These aircraft largely contributed to our Unique Selling Proposition  of operating non-stop flights out of, and in to Colombo, which gave us  an added advantage over regional competitors. As we send off these  aircraft, the national carrier has embarked upon a new journey with our  modern fleet of A330-300s, which brings together the inherent  characteristics of SriLankan hospitality with modernity of world  travel.” SriLankan Airlines, Head of Flight Operations, Captain Rajind  Ranatunga remarked: “The A340s were our long haul workhorses and it is  with a sense of nostalgia and regret that we are retiring them. But we  are very excited about our new fleet of A330-300 aircraft, which give  our passengers a more comfortable and sophisticated travelling  experience.” The A340s were an integral part of Sri Lanka’s aviation history, from  the highs of carrying numerous foreign dignitaries including Pope John  Paul II and Pope Francis, to crises such as rushing in aid to the island  following the 2004 Indian Ocean Tsunami. The A340s were introduced to replace SriLankan’s aging fleet of  Lockheed L1011 Tristars, at a time when twin-engine aircraft did not  quite have the range to fly non-stop from Colombo to SriLankan’s  farthest destinations such as London and Tokyo. The A340 had a range of  over 13,000 kilometres and could carry nearly 300 passengers. However, as engine technology improved over the years, the  twin-engine A330s began to operate on these routes, replacing the A340s  which have a higher fuel consumption due to having four engines versus  two. The last of the seven A340, bearing the registration 4R-ADF will end  the Airline’s association with A340 when it touches down at Colombo’s  Bandaranaike International Airport from Chennai at 10:50 am today, after  which it will be returned to its aircraft lessor. The other A340s were  retired over the last 10 months.</blockquote>

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