L–R: Capt Paul Binks, Etihad Airways; Capt Dushantha Jayaweera, Chief Pilot Training and Standards, SriLankan Airlines; and First Officer Aloka Ranasinghe, SriLankan Airlines.
The SriLankan Airlines Flight Training team has successfully conducted a specialized Airbus A330 Line Flying Under Supervision (LFUS) program for six senior training and examination pilots from Etihad Airways, underscoring the confidence placed by Etihad Airways in SriLankan Airlines’ training and operational capabilities, while further strengthening the professional relationship between the two national carriers.
Five Type Rating Examiners (TREs) and one Senior Type Rating Examiner (STRE) from Etihad Airways participated in the program, which drew on the expertise of SriLankan Airlines’ flight instructors, experienced flight crew, and supporting operational teams to provide the visiting examiner pilots with a safe, effective, and professionally rewarding training experience.
Captain Chaminda De Zoysa, Head of Flight Operations at SriLankan Airlines, commented on the program’s success, stating, “For SriLankan Airlines, this opportunity represented more than a single training assignment. It demonstrates the airline’s ability to leverage its Airbus A330 fleet, experienced instructors, operational expertise, and established training infrastructure to support the training and development of aviation professionals from other major global carriers. The initiative also highlights the potential of SriLankan Airlines Flight Training to serve as a regional aviation training partner, offering specialized and high-quality training solutions to international operators.”
Behind the program was extensive planning and coordination by SriLankan Airlines. The Civil Aviation Authority of Sri Lanka (CAASL), the Ministry of Defense, and other relevant stakeholders supported the establishment of the necessary framework and the securing of the required clearances, paving the way for the seamless delivery of the program. Through initiatives such as this, SriLankan Airlines continues to demonstrate that its expertise is not limited to operating flights but also extends to supporting the development of aviation professionals worldwide and to positioning Sri Lanka as a regional center for professional aviation training.
