FINANCIAL CHRONICLE — The Sri Lankan cabinet has given its approval for a contract valued at $25.17 million to Honeywell International Inc. This contract pertains to the repair and maintenance of Auxiliary Power Units (APUs) for the state-owned SriLankan Airlines, as announced by Minister Vijitha Herath.
According to Herath, the national airline currently lacks the necessary in-house capabilities to conduct overhauls on these essential components. The agreement, which will span five years, was finalized after an international limited competitive bidding (ILCB) process.
During this process, six bids were submitted, and Honeywell International Inc. was chosen as the most responsive bidder based on evaluations conducted by the procurement committee.
Auxiliary Power Units are vital for commercial aircraft, supplying electrical power and pneumatic pressure required to initiate the main engines and operate air conditioning and electrical systems while the aircraft is on the ground. Additionally, they act as a backup power source in case of engine failure during flight.
SriLankan Airlines has faced ongoing challenges related to engine maintenance and has experienced a shortage of operational aircraft over the past year, resulting in multiple flight delays and cancellations. This long-term maintenance agreement is viewed as a strategic step to enhance the technical reliability of the airline’s aging fleet.
(Colombo/Apr9/2026)
