News
Shortcomings in national carrier’s engineering unit
The European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) has put SriLankan Airlines on notice after finding shortcomings in its engineering division. If the airline fails to rectify these within six months, it risks losing the EASA certification which allows it to do maintenance checks for other airlines.
The deficiencies were found when EASA conducted an audit of SriLankan’s engineering division. Among other things, they have identified shortfalls in the management structure. Changes that had been agreed to three years ago by the airline were yet to be implemented. There were issues such as the lack of a door on a hangar and the use of an outdated computer system. The procedural manuals also needed updating.
“Some of these things, such as the door, have been ordered but they are expensive and takes time to come,” a company source said. The airline will also put out a Request for Proposals for the long overdue computer system.
“They (EASA) have given us six months, under close scrutiny,” the source confirmed. In the past, SriLankan has done maintenance checks for IndiGO Airlines and, to a lesser degree, for Saudi Arabia’s Flynas airline, Turkish Airlines and Maldivian.
Meanwhile, Civil Aviation Director General H.M.C Nimalsiri has written to SriLankan and EASA for information about audit. He said the airline had not informed the regulator of the latest developments. Upon inquiring, he found that SriLankan had been given time to take corrective action. EASA will also conduct more frequent audits in future to ensure compliance with its standards.
The recent action by EASA does not immediately disqualify SriLankan from continuing with maintenance checks. “EASA is working closely with Sri Lankan management to ensure that Sri Lankan maintenance organisation stays in compliance with EASA requirements,” Dominique Fouda, the agency’s head of communications told the Sunday Times. “Any news or change regarding the approval status will be published immediately on our website.”