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{{Infobox Airline
{{Infobox airline
| airline = Mihin Lanka
| airline = Mihin Lanka
| logo =
| image = mihinlankalogo.jpg
| slogan = Yours to fly
| image_size = 150
| logo = mihinlankalogo.jpg
| alt =
| logo_size = 150
| IATA = MJ
| ICAO = MLR
| fleet_size = 2<ref>[http://www.planespotters.net/Airline/Mihin-Lanka Mihin Lanka Fleet Details and History]</ref>
| destinations = 9
| callsign = MIHIN LANKA
| IATA = MJ
| founded = 27 October 2006
| ICAO = MLR
| commenced = 24 April 2007
| callsign = MIHIN LANKA
| ceased =
| parent = [[SriLankan Airlines]]
| aoc =
| bases =
| company_slogan = Yours to fly
| hubs = [[Bandaranaike International Airport|Colombo BIA]]
| founded = April 2007<ref name=launch>[http://www.ameinfo.com/117312.html Mihin Lanka to Dubai] AME Info, 2007-04-21</ref>
| secondary_hubs =
| headquarters = [[Colombo]], [[Sri Lanka]]
| focus_cities =
| frequent_flyer =
| frequent_flyer =
| key_people = Kapila Chandrasena (CEO)<ref>[http://www.dailynews.lk/2009/01/06/bus15.asp Mihin to launch domestic flights] Daily News, 2009-01-06</ref><ref name="interview"/>
| lounge =
| lounge =
| alliance =
| alliance =
| subsidiaries =
| subsidiaries =
| fleet_size = 2
| hubs = [[Bandaranaike International Airport|Colombo Bandaranaike International Airport]]
| destinations = 9
| website = [http://www.mihinlanka.com www.mihinlanka.com]
| company_slogan = Yours to fly
| parent = [[SriLankan Airlines]]
| headquarters = E.M.L Building, No/ 61 W.A.D. Ramanayake Mawatha, [[Colombo]] 2, [[Sri Lanka]]
| key_people = Kapila Chandrasena (CEO)
| revenue = {{increase}} [[Sri Lankan rupee|LKR]]1,700 million <small>(''FY 2010'')</small>
| operating_income = {{decrease}} [[Sri Lankan rupee|LKR]]-728 million <small>(''FY 2010'')</small>
| net_income = {{increase}} [[Sri Lankan rupee|LKR]]-1,221 million <small>(''FY 2010'')</small>
| profit =
| assets = {{increase}} [[Sri Lankan rupee|LKR]]520 million <small>(''FY 2010'')</small>
| equity = {{decrease}} [[Sri Lankan rupee|LKR]]-5,628 million <small>(''FY 2010'')</small>
| website = [http://www.mihinlanka.com mihinlanka.com]
}}
}}
'''Mihin Lanka (Private) Ltd''' is a [[Low-cost carrier|low-cost airline]] based in [[Colombo]], [[Sri Lanka]]. It is owned by the [[Sri Lankan government]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.airlineindustryreview.com/optimizing-mihin-lanka/|title=Optimizing Mihin Lanka|date=2010-05-13|publisher=Airline Industry Review|accessdate=2010-11-09}}</ref> It provides low cost flights from its hub at [[Bandaranaike International Airport]] to a number of cities in the [[Indian subcontinent]], the [[Arab states of the Persian Gulf|Gulf States]] and [[Southeast Asia]]. It code-shares with [[SriLankan Airlines]] on several routes, as part of a consolidation exercise between the two airlines. Currently it operates two aircrafts.<ref>[http://www.planespotters.net/Airline/Mihin-Lanka Mihin Lanka Fleet Details and History]</ref>


The airline is named after [[Mahinda Rajapaksa]], the current [[President of Sri Lanka]]. Kapila Chandrasena is the current Chief Executive Officer.<ref>[http://www.dailynews.lk/2009/01/06/bus15.asp Mihin to launch domestic flights] Daily News, 2009-01-06</ref><ref name="interview">{{cite web|url=http://www.lakbimanews.lk/archvi/lakbimanews_10_02_14/feb/feb9.htm|title=People’s perception of Mihin has changed- CEO|publisher=Lakbimanews|author=Sulochana Ramiah Mohan|date=2010-02-14|accessdate=2010-11-09}}</ref> The airline has been plagued by financial losses, debt, waste, corruption and other irregularities since its inception in 2007.<ref>{{cite news|title=Corrupt officials, politicians exposed (COPE) but committee lacks power: DEW|url=http://sundaytimes.lk/111204/News/nws_12.html|newspaper=[[Sunday Times (Sri Lanka)]]|date=4 December 2011}}</ref>
'''Mihin Lanka''' is a [[Low-cost carrier|low-cost airline]] based in [[Colombo]], [[Sri Lanka]]. It is a fully owned and funded enterprise of the [[Sri Lankan government]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.airlineindustryreview.com/optimizing-mihin-lanka/|title=Optimizing Mihin Lanka|date=2010-05-13|publisher=Airline Industry Review|accessdate=2010-11-09}}</ref> Its main focus is providing low cost flights from Colombo to a number of cities in the [[Indian subcontinent]], the [[Arab states of the Persian Gulf|Gulf States]], and [[Southeast Asia]]. Mihin Lanka uses [[Bandaranaike International Airport]] as its hub.


==History==
==History==
Mihin Lanka was [[Incorporation (business)|incorporated]] on 27 October 2006.<ref name=SL161207>{{cite news|title=Trainee foreign pilots fly Mihin|url=http://www.thesundayleader.lk/archive/20071216/spotlight.htm|newspaper=[[The Sunday Leader]]|date=16 December 2007|author=Dilrukshi Handunnetti|author2=Mandana Ismail Abeywickrema|author3=Arthur Wamanan}}</ref> It's three directors were [[Sajin Vass Gunawardena]] (CEO), [[Gotabhaya Rajapaksa]] (Chairman, brother of Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa) and [[Roshan Goonatilake]] ([[Commander of the Air Force (Sri Lanka)|Commander]] of the [[Sri Lanka Air Force]]).<ref name=SL161207/> It was launched without the approval of the [[Cabinet of Sri Lanka|Cabinet]] or the Civil Aviation Authority and its three aircrafts were leased without a [[Request for tender|tender process]].<ref name=SL161207/><ref>{{cite news|last=Kirinde|first=Chandani|title=Mihin Lanka gets tender blow with mammoty|url=http://sundaytimes.lk/090208/News/sundaytimesnews_04.html|newspaper=[[Sunday Times (Sri Lanka)]]|date=8 February 2009}}</ref>
The airline was established in April 2007 <ref name=launch/><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.dailynews.lk/2007/03/15/news03.asp|title=Mihin Lanka’s first Airbus arrives at BIA|date=2007-03-17|accessdate=2010-11-09|publisher=Daily News}}</ref> by the Sri Lankan government to operate services to [[India]] and the [[Middle East]]. Initially, Mihin Lanka connected Colombo with seven destinations, namely [[Tiruchirappalli]], [[Thiruvananthapuram]], [[Bodhgaya]], [[Bangkok]], [[Singapore]], and [[Malé]] and Gan in the [[Maldives]].<ref name=launch/><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.dailynews.lk/2007/10/15/bus11.asp|title=Mihin Lanka consolidates in Singapore|date=2007-10-15|publisher=Daily News}}</ref> Late in 2008, however, the carrier was forced to cut certain routes, specifically those to Bangkok, Maldives, Singapore and Thiruvananthapuram, due to a shortage of aircraft.


Mihin started operating on 24 April 2007 with two [[wet leased]] [[Airbus 320 family]] aircrafts.<ref name=launch>[http://www.ameinfo.com/117312.html Mihin Lanka to Dubai] AME Info, 2007-04-21</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.dailynews.lk/2007/03/15/news03.asp|title=Mihin Lanka’s first Airbus arrives at BIA|date=2007-03-17|accessdate=2010-11-09|publisher=Daily News}}</ref><ref name=FG090708>{{cite web|last=Francis|first=Leithen|title=Sri Lanka's grounded Mihin Lanka still seeking A320s|url=http://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/sri-lankas-grounded-mihin-lanka-still-seeking-a320s-225158/|publisher=[[Flightglobal.com]]|date=9 July 2008}}</ref> It was established by the Sri Lankan government to operate services to [[India]] and the [[Middle East]]. Initially, Mihin connected Colombo with seven destinations - [[Tiruchirappalli]], [[Thiruvananthapuram]], [[Bodhgaya]], [[Bangkok]], [[Singapore]], and [[Malé]] and Gan in the [[Maldives]].<ref name=launch/><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.dailynews.lk/2007/10/15/bus11.asp|title=Mihin Lanka consolidates in Singapore|date=2007-10-15|publisher=Daily News}}</ref>
It code-shares with [[SriLankan Airlines]] on several routes, as part of a consolidation exercise between the two airlines.


In December 2007 Mihin was forced to ground the A320 serving India after the aircraft's Bulgarian owners [[BH Air]] had instructed its pilots not to fly the aircraft as Mihin had not settled its lease payments.<ref name=LS>{{cite web|title=SriLankan Airlines|url=http://www.lankastandard.com/vault/4044-2/|publisher=Lanka Standard}}</ref> In the same month [[SriLankan Airlines]] withdrew its ground handling facilities for non-payment forcing Mihin to manually pushback its aircraft before take off and use its own staff to handle the check-in counters.<ref name=LS/> In February 2008 Mihin lost of one of its aircrafts, an [[Airbus A321-100|A321]], after its Turkish owners Best Air took it back for non-payment of lease.<ref name=FG090708/><ref>{{cite web|last=Francis|first=Leithen|title=Mihin Lanka closes |url=http://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/mihin-lanka-closes-223580/|publisher=[[Flightglobal.com]]|date=12 May 2008}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Mihin loses A-321 due to default|url=http://www.thesundayleader.lk/archive/20080224/news.htm|newspaper=[[The Sunday Leader]]|date=24 February 2008}}</ref> In April 2008 it lost its other aircraft after its Bulgarian owners took it back for non-payment of lease.<ref name=FG090708/><ref>{{cite news|last=Samarasinghe|first=Sonali|title=Govt. and directors caught in legal net as Mihin Lanka crashes|url=http://www.thesundayleader.lk/archive/20080316/issues-1.htm|newspaper=[[The Sunday Leader]]|date=16 March 2008}}</ref> Having lost both its aircrafts the company was forced to suspend all operations in April 2008.<ref name=FG090708/><ref>{{cite news|last=Abeywardena|first=Rohan|title=Mihin staff ‘grounded’ without pay|url=http://sundaytimes.lk/080706/News/timesnews0017.html|newspaper=[[Sunday Times (Sri Lanka)]]|date=6 July 2008}}</ref> In April 2008 it was announced that Gunawardena would resihn as CEO but remain on the board.<ref>{{cite news|title=Captain Jumps first from the sinking ship, Mihin Air CEO resigns|url=http://www.colombopage.com/archive_08/April19143257JR.html|newspaper=Colombo Page|date=19 April 2008}}</ref> <ref>{{cite web|last=Ionides|first=Nicholas|title=SriLankan CEO expects no strategy shift following withdrawal of Emirates|url=http://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/srilankan-ceo-expects-no-strategy-shift-following-withdrawal-of-emirates-224694/|publisher=[[Flightglobal.com]]|date=17 June 2008}}</ref> Gunawardena didn't resign but in June 2008 he was dismissed and replaced by Anura Bandara.<ref>{{cite news|last=Abeywardena|first=Rohan|title=Mihin Air’s controversial CEO removed|url=http://sundaytimes.lk/080608/News/news0013.html|newspaper=[[Sunday Times (Sri Lanka)]]|date=8 June 2008}}</ref> Gunawardena went on to become a Member of Parliament for President Rajapaksa's party.
The airline is named after [[Mahinda Rajapaksa]], the current [[President of Sri Lanka]].


Later in 2008 Mihin leased a 19 year old [[Airbus 320 family|A320]].<ref>{{cite news|last=Jayasundera|first=Ranjith|title=Continuing saga of Mihin|url=http://www.thesundayleader.lk/archive/20080615/spotlight-1.htm|newspaper=[[The Sunday Leader]]|date=15 June 2008}}</ref> Kapila Chandrasena replaced Anura Bandara as CEO in November 2008.<ref>{{cite news|last=Jayasundera|first=Ranjith|title=Mihin again losing millions per day|url=http://www.thesundayleader.lk/20090118/spotlight.htm|newspaper=[[The Sunday Leader]]|date=18 January 2009}}</ref> Mihin resumed operations on 1 January 2009 with a flight to Dubai.<ref>{{cite news|title=Dubai ride launches Mihin Lanka|url=http://sundaytimes.lk/090104/News/sundaytimesnews_19.html|newspaper=[[Sunday Times (Sri Lanka)]]|date=4 January 2009}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Mihin Lanka re-launch on Jan. 1|url=http://www.island.lk/2008/12/28/news11.html|newspaper=The Island, Sri Lanka|date=28 December 2008}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Mihin Lanka resumes operations|url=http://www.centreforaviation.com/analysis/mihin-lanka-resumes-operations-4870|publisher=CAPA Centre for Aviation|date=12 January 2009}}</ref> In November 2009 Mihin took over an ex [[Air Deccan]] [[Airbus A320]]. In December 2010 Mihin purchased an [[Airbus A321]] whose maiden flight under the Mihin name was on 16 December 2010.<ref>{{cite news|title=Mihin Lanka launches second aircraft|url=http://www.colombopage.com/archive_10C/Dec16_1292486990KA.php|newspaper=Colombo Page|date=16 December 2010}}</ref>
In September 2011, Mihin Lanka announced that it plans to serve Bangkok, [[Chittagong]], [[Kozhikode]], [[Manila]], and Singapore, once it takes delivery of a third aircraft.

In September 2011, Mihin Lanka announced that it plans to serve Bangkok, [[Chittagong]], [[Kozhikode]], [[Manila]] and Singapore, once it takes delivery of its third aircraft.<ref>{{cite news|last=SIRIMANE|first=Shirajiv|title=Mihin goes for third aircraft|url=http://www.dailynews.lk/2011/09/15/bus01.asp|newspaper=[[Daily News (Sri Lanka)]]|date=15 September 2011}}</ref>


==Destinations==
==Destinations==
{{location map+|Asia|float=right|width=350|caption=Mihin Lanka flies to 9 destinations in 6 countries|places=
{{location map+|Asia|float=left|width=350|caption=Mihin Lanka flies to 9 destinations in 6 countries|places=
{{location map~|Asia|label=<small>Colombo</small>|position=right| lat_deg = 6 | lat_min = 56| lon_deg = 79 | lon_min = 50| mark = Red pog.svg}}
{{location map~|Asia|label=<small>Colombo</small>|position=right| lat_deg = 6 | lat_min = 56| lon_deg = 79 | lon_min = 50| mark = Red pog.svg}}
{{location map~|Asia|label=<small>Dhaka</small>|position=right| lat_deg = 23 | lat_min = 42| lon_deg = 90 | lon_min = 22|| mark = Green pog.svg}}
{{location map~|Asia|label=<small>Dhaka</small>|position=right| lat_deg = 23 | lat_min = 42| lon_deg = 90 | lon_min = 22|| mark = Green pog.svg}}
Line 63: Line 77:
**[[Sharjah (emirate)|Sharjah]] – [[Sharjah International Airport]]
**[[Sharjah (emirate)|Sharjah]] – [[Sharjah International Airport]]


<br>
<br>
==Fleet==
==Fleet==
[[File:Bandaranaike International Airport.JPG|thumb|Mihin Lanka Airbus A320-200 in the ramp area of Bandaranaike International Airport]]
[[File:Bandaranaike International Airport.JPG|thumb|Mihin Lanka Airbus A320-200 in the ramp area of Bandaranaike International Airport]]
===Current===
[[File:Mihin Lanka a320 at dhaka.JPG|thumb|Mihin Lanka Airbus A320-232 at [[Shahjalal International Airport]] for the first time]]
The current Mihin Lanka fleet consists of the following two aircrafts:<ref name="interview"/>


===Current fleet===
The Mihin Lanka Fleet consists of the following aircraft:<ref name="interview">{{cite web|url=http://www.lakbimanews.lk/archvi/lakbimanews_10_02_14/feb/feb9.htm|title=People’s perception of Mihin has changed- CEO|publisher=Lakbimanews|author=Sulochana Ramiah Mohan|date=2010-02-14|accessdate=2010-11-09}}</ref>
<center>
{| class="toccolours sortable" border="1" cellpadding="3" style="border-collapse:collapse;text-align:center"
{| class="toccolours sortable" border="1" cellpadding="3" style="border-collapse:collapse;text-align:center"
|+ '''Mihin Lanka Fleet'''
|+ '''Mihin Lanka Current Fleet'''
|- style="background:darkblue;"
|- style="background:darkblue;"
!class="unsortable"|<font color=white>Aircraft !! class="unsortable"|<font color=white>C/N !! class="unsortable"|<font color=white>Reg !! class="unsortable"|<font color=white>Introduced !! class="unsortable"|<font color=white>Passengers<br /><small>(Economy)</small> !! class="unsortable"|<font color=white>Notes
!class="unsortable"|<font color=white>Aircraft
!class="unsortable"|<font color=white>In Service
!class="unsortable"|<font color=white>Orders
!class="unsortable"|<font color=white>Passengers<br /><small>(Economy)</small>
!class="unsortable"|<font color=white>Notes
|-
|-
| align=left|[[Airbus A320-232]]<ref>{{cite web|title=4R-MRB Mihin Lanka Airbus A320-232 - cn 977|url=http://www.planespotters.net/Production_List/Airbus/A320/977,4R-MRB-Mihin-Lanka.php|publisher=planespotters.net}}</ref> || 977 || 4R-MRB || 16 November 2009 || 176 || align=left|Leased from [[BOC Aviation]]
|[[Airbus 320 family#A320|Airbus A320-232]]
|1
|0
|176
|Leased from [[BOC Aviation]]
|-
|[[Airbus A321-231]]
|1
|0
|214
|<ref>{{cite web|url=http://aerspace.wordpress.com/2010/10/23/g-ttif-to-become-4r-mrc-with-mihin-lanka/|title=G-TTIF to become 4R-MRC with Mihin Lanka|publisher=AerSpace - Irish Aviation News|date=2010-10-23|accessdate=2010-11-09}}</ref>
|-
|'''Total'''
|'''2'''
|'''0'''
|
|-
|-
| align=left|[[Airbus A321-231]]<ref>{{cite web|title=4R-MRC Mihin Lanka Airbus A321-231 - cn 3106|url=http://www.planespotters.net/Production_List/Airbus/A321/3106,4R-MRC-Mihin-Lanka.php|publisher=planespotters.net}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://aerspace.wordpress.com/2010/10/23/g-ttif-to-become-4r-mrc-with-mihin-lanka/|title=G-TTIF to become 4R-MRC with Mihin Lanka|publisher=AerSpace - Irish Aviation News|date=2010-10-23|accessdate=2010-11-09}}</ref> || 3106 || 4R-MRC || 14 December 2010 || 214 ||
|}
|}
</center>


===Aircraft operated===
===Former===
{| class="toccolours sortable" border="1" cellpadding="3" style="border-collapse:collapse;text-align:center"
{| class="toccolours sortable" border="1" cellpadding="3" style="border-collapse:collapse;text-align:center"
|+ '''Mihin Lanka Fromer Fleet'''
|- style="background:darkblue;"
|- style="background:darkblue;"
! class="unsortable"|<font color=white>Aircraft !! class="unsortable"|<font color=white>C/N !! class="unsortable"|<font color=white>Reg !! class="unsortable"|<font color=white>Introduced !! class="unsortable"|<font color=white>Retired !! class="unsortable"|<font color=white>Notes
!class="unsortable"|<font color=white>Aircraft
!class="unsortable"|<font color=white>Introduced
!class="unsortable"|<font color=white>Retired
|-
|-
| align=left|[[Airbus A321-131]]<ref>{{cite web|title=TC-ETM Atlasjet Airbus A321-131 - cn 604|url=http://www.planespotters.net/Production_List/Airbus/A321/604,TC-TUB-Mihin-Lanka.php|publisher=planespotters.net}}</ref> || 604 || TC-TUB || 26 March 2007 || 14 February 2008 || align=left|Leased from Best Air
|[[Airbus A321-100]]
|2007
|2008
|-
|-
| align=left|[[Airbus A320-212]]<ref>{{cite web|title=LZ-BHB Tor Air Airbus A320-212 - cn 294|url=http://www.planespotters.net/Production_List/Airbus/A320/294,LZ-BHB-Mihin-Lanka.php|publisher=planespotters.net}}</ref> || 294 || LZ-BHB || June 2007 || 22 October 2007 || align=left|Leased from [[BH Air]]
|[[Boeing 737-800]]
|-
|2008
| align=left|[[Airbus A320-211]]<ref>{{cite web|title=LZ-BHE Balkan Holidays Air (BH Air) Airbus A320-211 - cn 305|url=http://www.planespotters.net/Production_List/Airbus/A320/305,LZ-BHE-Mihin-Lanka.php|publisher=planespotters.net}}</ref> || 305 || LZ-BHE || 17 October 2007 || 3 February 2008 || align=left|Leased from [[BH Air]]
|2009
|-
| align=left|[[Boeing 737-800|Boeing 737-8K2(WL)]]<ref>{{cite web|title=F-GZHE Transavia France Boeing 737-8K2(WL) - cn 29678 / ln 2615|url=http://www.planespotters.net/Production_List/Boeing/737/29678,F-GZHE-Mihin-Lanka.php|publisher=planespotters.net}}</ref> || 29678 || F-GZHE || 27 December 2008 || 1 April 2009 || align=left|Leased from [[Transavia France]]
|-
| align=left|[[Airbus A320-231]]<ref>{{cite web|title=N196AG Aviation Capital Group (ACG) Airbus A320-231 - cn 169|url=http://www.planespotters.net/Production_List/Airbus/A320/169,4R-ABE-Mihin-Lanka.php|publisher=planespotters.net}}</ref> || 169 || 4R-ABE || 12 April 2009 || 28 April 2010 ||
|}
|}


==Finances==
[[File:Mihin Lanka a320 at dhaka.JPG|thumb|Mihin Lanka Airbus A320-232 at [[Shahjalal International Airport]] for the first time]]
The Sri Lankan government initially made an [[Equity (finance)|equity]] investment of [[Sri Lankan rupee|LKR]]250 million in Mihin.<ref name=DPE2007>{{cite web|title=Performance Report 2007|url=http://www.treasury.gov.lk%2FFPPFM%2Fped%2Fpdfdoc%2FPerformanceReport2007.pdf|publisher=Department of Public Enterprises, Sri Lanka}}</ref> Lanka Putra Bank, headed by Sajin Vass Gunawardena' father, also invested [[Sri Lankan rupee|LKR]]300 million in redeemable [[Preferred stock|preference shares]].<ref>{{cite news|last=Samarasinghe|first=Sonali|title=Shaky Mihin Lanka runs into a storm|url=http://www.thesundayleader.lk/archive/20070708/issues-1.htm|newspaper=[[The Sunday Leader]]|date=8 July 2007}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last=Samarasinghe|first=Sonali|title=SriLankan Airlines in financial tail spin|url=http://www.thesundayleader.lk/20080113/spotlight.htm|newspaper=[[The Sunday Leader]]|date=13 January 2008}}</ref> In 2008 the government gave Mihin [[Sri Lankan rupee|LKR]]500 million to strengthen its financial position.<ref name=DPE2007/> In 2009 the government gave Mihin a further grant of [[Sri Lankan rupee|LKR]]3,000 million.<ref name=MFP2009>{{cite web|title=Annual Report 2009|url=http://www.treasury.gov.lk%2Freports%2Fannualreport%2Fannualreport2009-eng.pdf|publisher=[[Ministry of Finance and Planning (Sri Lanka)]]}}</ref><ref name=DPE2009>{{cite web|title=Performance Report 2009|url=http://www.treasury.gov.lk%2FFPPFM%2Fped%2Fpdfdocs%2FperformanceReports%2F2009%2Fenglish2009.pdf|publisher=Department of Public Enterprises, Sri Lanka}}</ref> The government has also [[Surety|guaranteed]] two bank loans taken out by Mihin: a three year (2006-09) [[Sri Lankan rupee|LKR]]250 million loan from the state-owned [[Bank of Ceylon]] and a three year (2009-12) [[Sri Lankan rupee|LKR]]1,553 million loan from the Bank of Ceylon to lease an aircraft.<ref name=MFP2009/><ref name=DPE2009/><ref name=MFP2008>{{cite web|title=Annual Report 2008|url=http://www.treasury.gov.lk%2Freports%2Fannualreport%2FannualReport2008-eng.pdf|publisher=[[Ministry of Finance and Planning (Sri Lanka)]]}}</ref> In 2010 the government made a further equity investment of [[Sri Lankan rupee|LKR]]2,754 million, taking its total equity in Mihin to [[Sri Lankan rupee|LKR]]3,004 million as at 31 December 2010.<ref name=MFP2010>{{cite web|title=Annual Report 2010|url=http://www.treasury.gov.lk%2Freports%2Fannualreport%2FAnnualReport2010-eng.pdf|publisher=[[Ministry of Finance and Planning (Sri Lanka)]]}}</ref>

Mihin has been financially troubled since it was established.<ref name=TBL111211>{{cite news|last=Vishleshaka|first=Arthika|title=Huge losses in public enterprises burden finances|url=http://www.thebottomline.lk/2011/12/11/biz_feature.html|newspaper=[[The Bottom Line (Sri Lanka)]]|date=11 December 2011}}</ref> Official government figures show that between 2007 and 2010 it made losses totalling [[Sri Lankan rupee|LKR]]5,877 million.<ref name=MFP2010/> Despite cutting its workforce from by a third and changing from [[wet lease]] to [[dry lease]] Mihin continues to make annual losses of [[Sri Lankan rupee|LKR]]1-2 billion.<ref>{{cite news|last=Hemmathagama|first=Ashwin|title=State Owned Loss Makers Still At Large|url=http://www.thesundayleader.lk/2011/11/20/state-owned-loss-makers-still-at-large/|newspaper=[[The Sunday Leader]]|date=20 November 2011}}</ref> It has been reported that between April 2011 and January 2012 Mihin made losses of [[Sri Lankan rupee|LKR]]1,700 million and that the government would settle [[Sri Lankan rupee|LKR]]2.4 billion of loans on behalf of the company.<ref>{{cite news|last=Mohan|first=Sulochana Ramiah|title=Colossal loss incurred by Mihin|url=http://www.lakbimanews.lk/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=4744:colossal-loss-incurred-by-mihin&catid=40:news&Itemid=64|newspaper=[[Lakbima]] News|date=26 February 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last=Bastians|first=Dharisha|title=Treasury to settle Mihin's loan|url=http://www.ceylontoday.lk/news-detail.php?news_id=569&news_category_id=3|newspaper=Ceylon Today|date=29 December 2011}}</ref> Mihin was unable to repay a [[Sri Lankan rupee|LKR]]500 million loan it received from the state-owned Airport Aviation Services (Private) Ltd and the government had to settle the loan on behalf of Mihin.<ref name=TBL111211/> Opposition politicians have called for the closure of Mihin which they claim has lost [[Sri Lankan rupee|LKR]]13 billion since creation.<ref>{{cite news|last=Jabbar|first=Zacki|title=Shut down Mihin Air, losses exceed Rs.13 billion-Harsha|url=http://island.lk/index.php?page_cat=article-details&page=article-details&code_title=45736|newspaper=The Island, Sri Lanka|date=20 February 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last=Ladduwahetty|first=Ravi|title=SriLankan nosedives with Rs. 19.5bn loss|url=http://www.island.lk/index.php?page_cat=article-details&page=article-details&code_title=44405|newspaper=The Island, Sri Lanka|date=1 February 2012}}</ref>

Mihin has also been subject to financial irregularities with the financial figures it provided to Parliamentary Committee on Public Enterprises (COPE) being contradicted by the findings of the [[Auditor General of Sri Lanka|Auditor General]].<ref name=TBL111211/>

'''Profit & Loss''' <small>([[Sri Lankan rupee|LKR]] million)</small><ref name=DPE2009/><ref name=MFP2010/>
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:right;"
|-
! !! 2007 !! 2008 !! 2009 !! 2010
|-
| align=left|Revenue || - || 2,570 || 373 || 1,700
|-
| align=left|Expenditure || 195 || 4,970 || 1,080 || 2,488
|-
| align=left|Gross Profit/(Loss) || (195) || (2,400) || (707) || (728)
|-
| align=left|Net Profit/(Loss) Before Tax || (195) || (3,161) || (1,300) || (1,221)
|}

'''Balance Sheet''' <small>([[Sri Lankan rupee|LKR]] million)</small><ref name=DPE2009/><ref name=MFP2010/>
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:right;"
|-
! !! 2007 !! 2008 !! 2009 !! 2010
|-
| align=left|Non-Current Assets || 23 || 39 || 55 || 38
|-
| align=left|Current Assets || 381 || 264 || 386 || 482
|-
| align=left|Current Liabilities || 599 || 2,805 || 2,089 || 2,606
|-
| align=left|Non-Current Liabilities || 550 || 304 || 2,759 || 3,541
|-
| align=left|Equity || (195) || (2,608) || (4,406) || (5,628)
|}


==Awards and achievements==
==Awards and achievements==
Line 120: Line 153:


==Incidents==
==Incidents==
*On 6 January 2008, flight MJ401 from Colombo to [[Dubai]] was forced to issue a [[Mayday]] call and perform an emergency landing at [[Chhatrapati Shivaji International Airport]] in [[Mumbai]] after one engine developed a severe oil leak and stopped working. Passengers were informed that the incident was due to the plane leaving Colombo without a vital component in one engine. There were no casualties.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.sundaytimes.lk/080113/News/news00014.html|title=Mihin Lanka’s near disaster in the air|date=2008-01-13|accessdate=2010-11-09|publisher=Sunday Times Online|author=Leon Berenger}}</ref>
On 6 January 2008, flight MJ401 from Colombo to [[Dubai]] was forced to issue a [[Mayday]] call and perform an emergency landing at the [[Chhatrapati Shivaji International Airport]] in [[Mumbai]] after one engine developed a severe oil leak and stopped working. Passengers were informed that the incident was due to the plane leaving Colombo without a vital component in one engine. There were no casualties.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.sundaytimes.lk/080113/News/news00014.html|title=Mihin Lanka’s near disaster in the air|date=2008-01-13|accessdate=2010-11-09|publisher=Sunday Times Online|author=Leon Berenger}}</ref>


==References==
==References==
{{Reflist}}
{{Reflist|2}}


==External links==
==External links==
Line 135: Line 168:
{{Use dmy dates|date=September 2010}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=September 2010}}


[[Category:Airlines of Sri Lanka]]
[[Category:Low-cost airlines]]
[[Category:Airlines established in 2006]]
[[Category:Airlines established in 2006]]
[[Category:Airlines of Sri Lanka]]
[[Category:Government-owned airlines]]
[[Category:Government-owned airlines]]
[[Category:Government-owned companies of Sri Lanka]]
[[Category:Government-owned companies of Sri Lanka]]
[[Category:Low-cost airlines]]


[[de:Mihin Lanka]]
[[de:Mihin Lanka]]

Revision as of 21:02, 4 March 2012

Mihin Lanka
File:Mihinlankalogo.jpg
IATA ICAO Call sign
MJ MLR MIHIN LANKA
Founded27 October 2006
Commenced operations24 April 2007
HubsColombo BIA
Fleet size2
Destinations9
Parent companySriLankan Airlines
HeadquartersE.M.L Building, No/ 61 W.A.D. Ramanayake Mawatha, Colombo 2, Sri Lanka
Key peopleKapila Chandrasena (CEO)
RevenueIncrease LKR1,700 million (FY 2010)
Operating incomeDecrease LKR-728 million (FY 2010)
Net incomeIncrease LKR-1,221 million (FY 2010)
Total assetsIncrease LKR520 million (FY 2010)
Total equityDecrease LKR-5,628 million (FY 2010)
Websitemihinlanka.com

Mihin Lanka (Private) Ltd is a low-cost airline based in Colombo, Sri Lanka. It is owned by the Sri Lankan government.[1] It provides low cost flights from its hub at Bandaranaike International Airport to a number of cities in the Indian subcontinent, the Gulf States and Southeast Asia. It code-shares with SriLankan Airlines on several routes, as part of a consolidation exercise between the two airlines. Currently it operates two aircrafts.[2]

The airline is named after Mahinda Rajapaksa, the current President of Sri Lanka. Kapila Chandrasena is the current Chief Executive Officer.[3][4] The airline has been plagued by financial losses, debt, waste, corruption and other irregularities since its inception in 2007.[5]

History

Mihin Lanka was incorporated on 27 October 2006.[6] It's three directors were Sajin Vass Gunawardena (CEO), Gotabhaya Rajapaksa (Chairman, brother of Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa) and Roshan Goonatilake (Commander of the Sri Lanka Air Force).[6] It was launched without the approval of the Cabinet or the Civil Aviation Authority and its three aircrafts were leased without a tender process.[6][7]

Mihin started operating on 24 April 2007 with two wet leased Airbus 320 family aircrafts.[8][9][10] It was established by the Sri Lankan government to operate services to India and the Middle East. Initially, Mihin connected Colombo with seven destinations - Tiruchirappalli, Thiruvananthapuram, Bodhgaya, Bangkok, Singapore, and Malé and Gan in the Maldives.[8][11]

In December 2007 Mihin was forced to ground the A320 serving India after the aircraft's Bulgarian owners BH Air had instructed its pilots not to fly the aircraft as Mihin had not settled its lease payments.[12] In the same month SriLankan Airlines withdrew its ground handling facilities for non-payment forcing Mihin to manually pushback its aircraft before take off and use its own staff to handle the check-in counters.[12] In February 2008 Mihin lost of one of its aircrafts, an A321, after its Turkish owners Best Air took it back for non-payment of lease.[10][13][14] In April 2008 it lost its other aircraft after its Bulgarian owners took it back for non-payment of lease.[10][15] Having lost both its aircrafts the company was forced to suspend all operations in April 2008.[10][16] In April 2008 it was announced that Gunawardena would resihn as CEO but remain on the board.[17] [18] Gunawardena didn't resign but in June 2008 he was dismissed and replaced by Anura Bandara.[19] Gunawardena went on to become a Member of Parliament for President Rajapaksa's party.

Later in 2008 Mihin leased a 19 year old A320.[20] Kapila Chandrasena replaced Anura Bandara as CEO in November 2008.[21] Mihin resumed operations on 1 January 2009 with a flight to Dubai.[22][23][24] In November 2009 Mihin took over an ex Air Deccan Airbus A320. In December 2010 Mihin purchased an Airbus A321 whose maiden flight under the Mihin name was on 16 December 2010.[25]

In September 2011, Mihin Lanka announced that it plans to serve Bangkok, Chittagong, Kozhikode, Manila and Singapore, once it takes delivery of its third aircraft.[26]

Destinations

Mihin Lanka is located in Asia
Colombo
Colombo
Dhaka
Dhaka
Varanasi
Varanasi
Bodh Gaya
Bodh Gaya
Tiruchirappalli
Tiruchirappalli
Kuwait
Kuwait
Dubai
Dubai
Sharjah
Sharjah
Jakarta
Jakarta
class=notpageimage|
Mihin Lanka flies to 9 destinations in 6 countries



Fleet

Mihin Lanka Airbus A320-200 in the ramp area of Bandaranaike International Airport

Current

The current Mihin Lanka fleet consists of the following two aircrafts:[4]

Mihin Lanka Current Fleet
Aircraft C/N Reg Introduced Passengers
(Economy)		 Notes
Airbus A320-232[27] 977 4R-MRB 16 November 2009 176 Leased from BOC Aviation
Airbus A321-231[28][29] 3106 4R-MRC 14 December 2010 214

Former

Mihin Lanka Fromer Fleet
Aircraft C/N Reg Introduced Retired Notes
Airbus A321-131[30] 604 TC-TUB 26 March 2007 14 February 2008 Leased from Best Air
Airbus A320-212[31] 294 LZ-BHB June 2007 22 October 2007 Leased from BH Air
Airbus A320-211[32] 305 LZ-BHE 17 October 2007 3 February 2008 Leased from BH Air
Boeing 737-8K2(WL)[33] 29678 F-GZHE 27 December 2008 1 April 2009 Leased from Transavia France
Airbus A320-231[34] 169 4R-ABE 12 April 2009 28 April 2010

Finances

Mihin Lanka Airbus A320-232 at Shahjalal International Airport for the first time

The Sri Lankan government initially made an equity investment of LKR250 million in Mihin.[35] Lanka Putra Bank, headed by Sajin Vass Gunawardena' father, also invested LKR300 million in redeemable preference shares.[36][37] In 2008 the government gave Mihin LKR500 million to strengthen its financial position.[35] In 2009 the government gave Mihin a further grant of LKR3,000 million.[38][39] The government has also guaranteed two bank loans taken out by Mihin: a three year (2006-09) LKR250 million loan from the state-owned Bank of Ceylon and a three year (2009-12) LKR1,553 million loan from the Bank of Ceylon to lease an aircraft.[38][39][40] In 2010 the government made a further equity investment of LKR2,754 million, taking its total equity in Mihin to LKR3,004 million as at 31 December 2010.[41]

Mihin has been financially troubled since it was established.[42] Official government figures show that between 2007 and 2010 it made losses totalling LKR5,877 million.[41] Despite cutting its workforce from by a third and changing from wet lease to dry lease Mihin continues to make annual losses of LKR1-2 billion.[43] It has been reported that between April 2011 and January 2012 Mihin made losses of LKR1,700 million and that the government would settle LKR2.4 billion of loans on behalf of the company.[44][45] Mihin was unable to repay a LKR500 million loan it received from the state-owned Airport Aviation Services (Private) Ltd and the government had to settle the loan on behalf of Mihin.[42] Opposition politicians have called for the closure of Mihin which they claim has lost LKR13 billion since creation.[46][47]

Mihin has also been subject to financial irregularities with the financial figures it provided to Parliamentary Committee on Public Enterprises (COPE) being contradicted by the findings of the Auditor General.[42]

Profit & Loss (LKR million)[39][41]

2007 2008 2009 2010
Revenue - 2,570 373 1,700
Expenditure 195 4,970 1,080 2,488
Gross Profit/(Loss) (195) (2,400) (707) (728)
Net Profit/(Loss) Before Tax (195) (3,161) (1,300) (1,221)

Balance Sheet (LKR million)[39][41]

2007 2008 2009 2010
Non-Current Assets 23 39 55 38
Current Assets 381 264 386 482
Current Liabilities 599 2,805 2,089 2,606
Non-Current Liabilities 550 304 2,759 3,541
Equity (195) (2,608) (4,406) (5,628)

Awards and achievements

  • Low Cost Airline of the Year 2011 – The Bangladesh Monitor Awards [48]

Incidents

On 6 January 2008, flight MJ401 from Colombo to Dubai was forced to issue a Mayday call and perform an emergency landing at the Chhatrapati Shivaji International Airport in Mumbai after one engine developed a severe oil leak and stopped working. Passengers were informed that the incident was due to the plane leaving Colombo without a vital component in one engine. There were no casualties.[49]

References

  1. ^ "Optimizing Mihin Lanka". Airline Industry Review. 13 May 2010. Retrieved 9 November 2010.
  2. ^ Mihin Lanka Fleet Details and History
  3. ^ Mihin to launch domestic flights Daily News, 2009-01-06
  4. ^ a b Sulochana Ramiah Mohan (14 February 2010). "People's perception of Mihin has changed- CEO". Lakbimanews. Retrieved 9 November 2010.
  5. ^ "Corrupt officials, politicians exposed (COPE) but committee lacks power: DEW". Sunday Times (Sri Lanka). 4 December 2011.
  6. ^ a b c Dilrukshi Handunnetti; Mandana Ismail Abeywickrema; Arthur Wamanan (16 December 2007). "Trainee foreign pilots fly Mihin". The Sunday Leader.
  7. ^ Kirinde, Chandani (8 February 2009). "Mihin Lanka gets tender blow with mammoty". Sunday Times (Sri Lanka).
  8. ^ a b Mihin Lanka to Dubai AME Info, 2007-04-21
  9. ^ "Mihin Lanka's first Airbus arrives at BIA". Daily News. 17 March 2007. Retrieved 9 November 2010.
  10. ^ a b c d Francis, Leithen (9 July 2008). "Sri Lanka's grounded Mihin Lanka still seeking A320s". Flightglobal.com.
  11. ^ "Mihin Lanka consolidates in Singapore". Daily News. 15 October 2007.
  12. ^ a b "SriLankan Airlines". Lanka Standard.
  13. ^ Francis, Leithen (12 May 2008). "Mihin Lanka closes". Flightglobal.com.
  14. ^ "Mihin loses A-321 due to default". The Sunday Leader. 24 February 2008.
  15. ^ Samarasinghe, Sonali (16 March 2008). "Govt. and directors caught in legal net as Mihin Lanka crashes". The Sunday Leader.
  16. ^ Abeywardena, Rohan (6 July 2008). "Mihin staff 'grounded' without pay". Sunday Times (Sri Lanka).
  17. ^ "Captain Jumps first from the sinking ship, Mihin Air CEO resigns". Colombo Page. 19 April 2008.
  18. ^ Ionides, Nicholas (17 June 2008). "SriLankan CEO expects no strategy shift following withdrawal of Emirates". Flightglobal.com.
  19. ^ Abeywardena, Rohan (8 June 2008). "Mihin Air's controversial CEO removed". Sunday Times (Sri Lanka).
  20. ^ Jayasundera, Ranjith (15 June 2008). "Continuing saga of Mihin". The Sunday Leader.
  21. ^ Jayasundera, Ranjith (18 January 2009). "Mihin again losing millions per day". The Sunday Leader.
  22. ^ "Dubai ride launches Mihin Lanka". Sunday Times (Sri Lanka). 4 January 2009.
  23. ^ "Mihin Lanka re-launch on Jan. 1". The Island, Sri Lanka. 28 December 2008.
  24. ^ "Mihin Lanka resumes operations". CAPA Centre for Aviation. 12 January 2009.
  25. ^ "Mihin Lanka launches second aircraft". Colombo Page. 16 December 2010.
  26. ^ SIRIMANE, Shirajiv (15 September 2011). "Mihin goes for third aircraft". Daily News (Sri Lanka).
  27. ^ "4R-MRB Mihin Lanka Airbus A320-232 - cn 977". planespotters.net.
  28. ^ "4R-MRC Mihin Lanka Airbus A321-231 - cn 3106". planespotters.net.
  29. ^ "G-TTIF to become 4R-MRC with Mihin Lanka". AerSpace - Irish Aviation News. 23 October 2010. Retrieved 9 November 2010.
  30. ^ "TC-ETM Atlasjet Airbus A321-131 - cn 604". planespotters.net.
  31. ^ "LZ-BHB Tor Air Airbus A320-212 - cn 294". planespotters.net.
  32. ^ "LZ-BHE Balkan Holidays Air (BH Air) Airbus A320-211 - cn 305". planespotters.net.
  33. ^ "F-GZHE Transavia France Boeing 737-8K2(WL) - cn 29678 / ln 2615". planespotters.net.
  34. ^ "N196AG Aviation Capital Group (ACG) Airbus A320-231 - cn 169". planespotters.net.
  35. ^ a b "Performance Report 2007" (PDF). Department of Public Enterprises, Sri Lanka.
  36. ^ Samarasinghe, Sonali (8 July 2007). "Shaky Mihin Lanka runs into a storm". The Sunday Leader.
  37. ^ Samarasinghe, Sonali (13 January 2008). "SriLankan Airlines in financial tail spin". The Sunday Leader.
  38. ^ a b "Annual Report 2009" (PDF). Ministry of Finance and Planning (Sri Lanka).
  39. ^ a b c d "Performance Report 2009" (PDF). Department of Public Enterprises, Sri Lanka.
  40. ^ "Annual Report 2008" (PDF). Ministry of Finance and Planning (Sri Lanka).
  41. ^ a b c d "Annual Report 2010" (PDF). Ministry of Finance and Planning (Sri Lanka).
  42. ^ a b c Vishleshaka, Arthika (11 December 2011). "Huge losses in public enterprises burden finances". The Bottom Line (Sri Lanka).
  43. ^ Hemmathagama, Ashwin (20 November 2011). "State Owned Loss Makers Still At Large". The Sunday Leader.
  44. ^ Mohan, Sulochana Ramiah (26 February 2012). "Colossal loss incurred by Mihin". Lakbima News.
  45. ^ Bastians, Dharisha (29 December 2011). "Treasury to settle Mihin's loan". Ceylon Today.
  46. ^ Jabbar, Zacki (20 February 2012). "Shut down Mihin Air, losses exceed Rs.13 billion-Harsha". The Island, Sri Lanka.
  47. ^ Ladduwahetty, Ravi (1 February 2012). "SriLankan nosedives with Rs. 19.5bn loss". The Island, Sri Lanka.
  48. ^ "Bangladesh Monitor awards best airlines". The Daily Star.
  49. ^ Leon Berenger (13 January 2008). "Mihin Lanka's near disaster in the air". Sunday Times Online. Retrieved 9 November 2010.
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