The airline said it has strict procedures which requires aircraft to be grounded when technical issues are discovered.

“Unfortunately, in this case we suffered a number of groundings at the same time,” the airline said.

SriLankan Airlines is aiming to recruit 80 new pilots to replace lost headcount, with 30 hires set for this year and 50 more by mid-2025.

CEO Richard Nuttal said failure to fill the manpower gap would result in cancelled flights.The state-owned flag carrier has lost about 50 to 60 pilots within the past 10 to 12 months.

Currently, there are 143 captains, including three females; 83 first officers; 26 junior first officers; and 14 cadet pilots undergoing training within the organisation.

When inquired about various issues reported recently related to the airline, he said SriLankan Airlines is being operated with a total of 23 aircraft at present although it needed more.

SriLankan Airlines expects to get all grounded aircraft into operation by the winter season, he disclosed.