The Sri Lanka Airlines flight originating from Lahore, Pakistan, encountered an unexpected delay when a stowaway rodent was discovered on board the Airbus A330 aircraft.
This discovery prompted an extensive search of the plane to ensure that critical components had not been damaged by the rodent. As a precautionary measure, the aircraft was grounded for three days in Colombo, the capital city of Sri Lanka, until the situation could be addressed. Despite efforts to resume flights promptly, the grounding had a cascading effect on the airline's entire schedule, causing disruptions and inconvenience for passengers.
According to an unnamed airline official, the rodent was found deceased, alleviating concerns about its potential impact on flight safety. Nevertheless, the incident highlighted ongoing challenges faced by Sri Lanka Airlines, a state-owned carrier grappling with financial woes. With accumulated losses exceeding $1.8 billion as of March 2023 and three other aircraft grounded for over a year due to maintenance issues, the airline's operational struggles are evident. Furthermore, the lack of foreign exchange to fund necessary engine overhauls poses additional hurdles to restoring its fleet to full capacity.
The episode involving the stowaway rodent also raised concerns about the airline's prospects for attracting investment. Sri Lanka's aviation minister, Nimal Siripala de Silva, expressed apprehension that such incidents could deter potential investors, further complicating efforts to privatize or restructure the debt-laden carrier. Previous attempts to sell the airline have been unsuccessful, with no interested buyers despite government initiatives to offload ownership stakes.
The International Monetary Fund (IMF), which provided Sri Lanka with a $2.9 billion bailout package, has underscored the financial burden posed by state-owned enterprises like Sri Lanka Airlines on the national budget. These enterprises have been identified as a significant drain on resources and a hindrance to fiscal sustainability.
The airline's tumultuous history includes profitable periods, such as in 2001, when insurance payouts following aircraft destruction by the Tamil Tigers insurgent group contributed to increased revenue. However, subsequent challenges, including the termination of a management agreement with Emirates in 2008 and ongoing operational difficulties, have overshadowed these successes, underscoring the persistent struggles faced by Sri Lanka Airlines in navigating the aviation industry.
