SriLankan Airlines has completed a specialised Airbus A330 Line Flying Under Supervision (LFUS) programme for six senior training and examination pilots from Etihad Airways, reinforcing cooperation between the two national carriers.

The programme involved five Type Rating Examiners (TREs) and one Senior Type Rating Examiner (STRE) from Etihad Airways. It was delivered by SriLankan Airlines’ flight training team, with support from its instructors, experienced flight crew and operational personnel.

The airline said the training was designed to provide the visiting pilots with a safe, effective and professionally valuable experience. The assignment drew on SriLankan Airlines’ Airbus A330 fleet, training capability and operational support structure.

Training capability highlighted

Captain Chaminda De Zoysa, Head of Flight Operations at SriLankan Airlines, said the programme demonstrated a broader capability beyond a single training engagement.

“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 specialised and high-quality training solutions to international operators,” he said.

The successful delivery of the LFUS programme reflects the confidence placed by Etihad Airways in SriLankan Airlines’ operational and training expertise. It also further strengthens the professional relationship between the airlines.

Planning and regulatory support

SriLankan Airlines said the programme required substantial planning and coordination before it could be delivered. The Civil Aviation Authority of Sri Lanka (CAASL), the Ministry of Defence and other relevant stakeholders supported the establishment of the required framework and the securing of necessary clearances.

That coordination enabled the programme to proceed smoothly, according to the airline.

Through training assignments of this kind, SriLankan Airlines is seeking to demonstrate that its role extends beyond flight operations. The carrier said its flight training expertise can support aviation professionals from international operators while helping position Sri Lanka as a regional centre for professional aviation training.