A scheduled Sri Lankan Airlines flight operating from Colombo to Dubai has declared a general emergency and is presently on return to Colombo.
Sri Lankan Airlines flight UL225,operated by a Boeing A330-200 registered 4R-ALH departed Colombo Bandaranaike International Airport (CMB) enroute to Dubai International Airport (DXB).
Climbing through 17,000 feet on the outbound track, the aircraft declared a general emergency, and now appears to be holding over the Laccadive Sea to the northwest of Colombo at 8,000 feet in order to dump fuel.
The aircraft then maintained 8,000 feet off the coast in a holding pattern, presumably dumping fuel to reduce weight for landing. Having completed a short hold, the A330 is now on an inbound track to Colombo CMB on gradual descent.
The Airbus A330-200 registered 4R-ALH is an 18 year old aircraft belonging to the carrier Sri Lankan Airlines. The reason for the emergency declaration and subsequent return is unclear at this stage.
Weather conditions are VFR (visual) for the flight’s return to Colombo.
