COLOMBO- The SriLankan Airlines Cabin Crew Members Association launched a ‘work to rule’ campaign in April 2025 following multiple unaddressed complaints to management.
During this campaign, SriLankan Airlines (UL) crew members strictly followed their published rosters and answered calls from the Crew Center only during designated standby periods.
Photo- Sri Lankan AirlinesSriLankan Airlines Cabin Crew Protests
Crew members follow all safety and security protocols exactly as outlined in the Safety and Emergency Procedures Manual. This includes precise timing for pre-departure and post-arrival procedures. The association has also circulated a Fatigue Mitigation Document to ensure flight safety, especially on routes with a reduced crew.
During the work-to-rule action, flight attendants adhered rigidly to their official schedules and only responded to Crew Center communications within their formally assigned on-call hours.
“During the COVID-19 pandemic, management reduced certain allowances, including the onboard meal allowance. Our association did not oppose these decisions, as the entire country faced difficulties,” explained a union member.
“Now that SriLankan Airlines no longer incurs losses, we request management reinstate the allowances and facilities cut during the pandemic.”
Union Member, Sri Lankan Airlines
The association lists several benefits that have been reduced or eliminated since the pandemic:
- Onboard meal allowance
- Annual fixed increments (not implemented since 2016)
- Attendance incentive payment
- Premium allowance increments
- Minimum productivity duty guarantee (2 hours per day)
- 13th-month payment
- City-center hotel accommodations compliant with CAASL regulations
- Uniform provision (previously five sets per year)
Photo- Sri Lankan AirlinesUnequal Treatment
The union claims management increased salaries, allowances, and benefits for other airline staff while cabin crew benefits remained cut. Pilots and co-pilots faced no salary reductions and continued accessing business class rest seats.
The association urges management to immediately address rest seat reallocation on the Colombo (CMB)–Melbourne (MEL) and Colombo (CMB)–Sydney (SYD) routes. They also want layovers reinstated in Middle Eastern destinations, including Doha (DOH), Dammam (DMM), Abu Dhabi (AUH), and Dubai (DXB).
Following an executive committee decision and consultation with Cabin Members, the association implemented these precautionary measures to protect member interests effective April 10.
Fatigue Concerns
“As cabin crew, we currently operate under rosters affected by cumulative fatigue due to night turnaround flights exceeding 12 hours and long-haul night flights without rest seats. These demanding conditions may compromise performance during emergencies,” the member added.
“We strongly discourage extending Flight Duty Periods at management discretion. This increases fatigue, jeopardizes safe aircraft operations, and risks lives.”
Photo: Picasa | Wikimedia CommonsBottom Line
The dispute between SriLankan Airlines (UL) and its cabin crew continues as staff maintain their work-to-rule campaign. Crew members are enforcing strict adherence to safety protocols and schedules to pressure management into restoring pandemic-era benefit cuts. Their demands focus on fair treatment, proper rest periods, and reinstated allowances now that the airline has returned to profitability.
As the standoff persists, passengers may experience impacts while the airline faces increasing pressure to address these grievances regarding meal allowances, rest accommodations, and benefits essential to crew welfare and operational safety.
Stay tuned with us. Further, follow us on social media for the latest updates.
Join us on Telegram Group for the Latest Aviation Updates. Subsequently, follow us on Google News
Sri Lanka Govt Cancels SriLankan Airlines Privatization Plan
The post SriLankan Airlines Cabin Crew Operating 12-hour+ Flights without Rest Seats appeared first on Aviation A2Z.
