Colombo, 15 April - SriLankan Airlines, the national carrier of Sri Lanka, found itself at the center of a labor dispute as its cabin crew initiated a "work-to-rule" campaign to address longstanding grievances, including the lack of rest seats on long-haul flights exceeding 12 hours. This issue has sparked significant concern within the aviation industry, as it raises questions about crew welfare, safety, and operational efficiency on extended routes like Colombo to Melbourne and Colombo to Sydney.
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The cabin crew, represented by the SriLankan Airlines Cabin Crew Members Association, have highlighted that flights operating over 12 hours, particularly night turnarounds and long-haul sectors, impose considerable physical and mental strain due to the absence of designated rest seats. On many of these routes, crew members are required to remain active throughout the flight, attending to passenger needs and ensuring safety protocols are followed, without access to a dedicated space for brief rest periods. This is particularly challenging on routes like Colombo-Melbourne, which takes approximately 10 hours, and Colombo-Sydney, which can exceed 11 hours, not including pre-flight preparations and post-arrival duties. The association argues that the lack of rest seats contributes to cumulative fatigue, which could impair crew performance, especially during emergencies where quick decision-making is critical. SriLankan Airlines, which returned to profitability in recent years after a period of financial turbulence, operates a fleet that includes Airbus A330s and A320s for its long-haul and regional routes. However, unlike some global carriers that provide crew rest compartments or reserved business-class seats for cabin crew on extended flights, SriLankan’s current seating arrangements do not consistently allocate such provisions. The cabin crew association has called for an immediate review of these arrangements, emphasizing that adequate rest is not only a matter of comfort but a safety imperative. They point out that pilots and co-pilots, in contrast, have access to rest areas or business-class seats, highlighting a disparity in treatment between the flight deck and cabin crew.
The work-to-rule campaign, which began in early April 2025, involves crew members adhering strictly to contractual duties, meticulously following all safety and procedural guidelines without flexibility. This has led to potential delays in flight schedules, as pre-flight and post-arrival activities are conducted with heightened scrutiny to underscore the need for better working conditions. The association has also introduced a Fatigue Mitigation Document to educate management and the public about the risks of extended duty periods without rest, particularly when crew complements are reduced to cut costs.
Management at SriLankan Airlines has faced criticism for prioritizing other staff benefits, such as salary increases for pilots, while cabin crew continue to operate under strained conditions. The airline has yet to announce concrete steps to address the rest seat issue, though negotiations with the union are reportedly underway. The ongoing dispute underscores broader challenges in the aviation industry, where cost-cutting measures often clash with the need to maintain high safety and welfare standards. As SriLankan Airlines navigates this turbulent period, the resolution of these concerns will likely set a precedent for how regional carriers balance operational demands with crew well-being. The situation remains fluid, with the potential for disruptions to intensify if demands for rest seats and other benefits remain unaddressed. For passengers, this could mean delays or changes in service quality, while for the airline, it poses a reputational and operational challenge at a time when it seeks to solidify its market position. The cabin crew’s push for change reflects a broader call for fairness and safety in an industry where human performance is critical to success.