KFlyer From Sri Lanka, joined Mar 2007, 1208 posts, RR: 0 Posted (3 years 1 week ago) and read 3076 times:
Hi, below is a little analysis and an optimization I did for Mihin Lanka's utilization.
The full article is at http://www.airlineindustryreview.com/optimizing-mihin-lanka/ , I had to cut some parts due to PageRank issues that will affect both my site and A.net .
State owned Mihin Lanka is Sri Lanka's only low cast carrier which began operations in 2007.
It currently operates one A320, msn977, 4R-MRB.
Mihin has so far been unable to generate a profit and this even forced the company to cease operations in 2008. Since then, a new CEO Mr. Kapila Chandrasena has been appointed and they expect to break even soon.
While going through Mihin's schedule, I realised that the current schedule could be optimized and a few more flights could be added. Given below is my suggestion for the new flight schedule.
Please notice that this was only developed as a hobby and is in no-way aimed at criticising the hard work Mihin Lanka, its management and its employees are currently doing.
Total frequencies ( including seasonal flights )
Dubai, DXB - 3
DXB/ Kuwait, KWI vv - 4
Gaya - 1
Tiruchirapalli - 5
Varanasi - 2
Average daily utilization
Including seasonal flights - 13.53h
Excluding seasonal flights - 11.35h
Proposed Schedule
The new schedule will see a transition to a daytime operation and common flight timings. This will leave space for three ( or more ) new flights, of which I have used two for a Kochi, COK flight. The remaining one could be optionally occupied on a Tiruchirapalli, TRZ sector ( optional since this is a single aircraft operation currently, and space need to be given for operational freedom ) .
Currently MJ stays for one hour in outstations, and even longer at the home base, between two flights. These timings have been reduced, as it will be a disadvantage for a low cost carrier.
Note that the VNS and GAY flights are operated for tour operators, hence there is also the possibility to switch these flights to different dates under this schedule.
gardermoen From Australia, joined Jul 1999, 1518 posts, RR: 1 Reply 3, posted (3 years 5 days 21 hours ago) and read 2684 times:
Hi
I have no idea why Mihin and SriLankan Airlines have the same destinations, Tiruchirapali, Dubai and Kuwait. Oddly too, both operate CMB-DXB-KWI.
I really think it would be a good idea if Mihin were to pick up the 4 or 5 Indian ports that Srilankan dropped last year. Im sure Hyderabad, atleast could work very easily.
I was in Sri Lanka yesterday on holiday and saw large numbers of Indian tourists wherever I went. Being a low cost airline aiming at the regional market, they should really exploit the large market sitting on their doorstep.
KFlyer From Sri Lanka, joined Mar 2007, 1208 posts, RR: 0 Reply 4, posted (3 years 5 days 19 hours ago) and read 2614 times:
@Gardermoen I totally agree. But unfortunately, they seem to believe where UL make profits are the best places for them to fly too. And it ends up hurting UL's yields.
The opinions above are solely my own and do not express those of my employers or clients.
gardermoen From Australia, joined Jul 1999, 1518 posts, RR: 1 Reply 5, posted (3 years 5 days 18 hours ago) and read 2599 times:
Mihin ideally needs to focus on non-UL ports or else needs to be killed off. When I was in Colombo, everyone was talking about this new airport in the south of the country which sounds very ambitious. Perhaps Mihin will focus its future energies on this airport, leaving UL to CMB.
KFlyer From Sri Lanka, joined Mar 2007, 1208 posts, RR: 0 Reply 6, posted (3 years 5 days 18 hours ago) and read 2571 times:
Not at all. Sure, the airport will be A380 compatible. But where it is built, Hambanthota, is one of the poorest areas in the country. To be honest, it seems the only reason why they build it there is for political reasons ( President's hometown ). However, coupled with the nearby port - which is set near the busiest Asian ocean route - it will be an excellent cargo port.
The opinions above are solely my own and do not express those of my employers or clients.
Aesma From France, joined Nov 2009, 4773 posts, RR: 9 Reply 8, posted (3 years 3 days 23 hours ago) and read 2350 times:
I'm not sure calling an airline with one or two planes a LCC is appropriate. About the schedule, I'm no expert but one thing to consider is when and where is done the maintenance.
New Technology is the name we give to stuff that doesn't work yet. Douglas Adams
KFlyer From Sri Lanka, joined Mar 2007, 1208 posts, RR: 0 Reply 9, posted (3 years 3 days 21 hours ago) and read 2279 times:
@777way I doubt whether either of them will have enough traffic. BEY is certainly good, but too far away. LHE has traditionally not had any links with Sri Lanka. DAC will do a lot better, IMHO.
@Aesma Maintenance will be scheduled for midnight, as most LCCs do.
The opinions above are solely my own and do not express those of my employers or clients.
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