Directs flights between Jaffna, Chennai to resume soon
March 12, 2021 12:25 pm

The government expects to resume direct flight services between Jaffna and Chennai which were suspended due to the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic, says Minister of Transport Prasanna Ranatunga.

In addition, internal flights operating between Ratmalana, Jaffna and Batticaloa will also recommence soon, he added.

Further, it is reported that arrangements are in progress to launch flights between Sri Lanka and India under the ‘air travel bubble’ concept.

Meanwhile, Chief Director-Operations of Airport and Aviation Services Shehan Sumanasekara noted that nearly 4,000 tourists have arrived in the country since January this year.

He also pointed out that operations at Bandaranaike International Airport and Mattala Rajapaksa International Airports are continuing efficiently.

Sri Lankan Airlines is to obtain an aircraft for goods transportation with an aim to cater to the change in the airline industry due to the coronavirus pandemic.

The Cabinet has approved a proposal submitted by the Transport Minister to secure the aircraft on lease to the Sri Lankan Aviation Company Limited.

The approval has been granted subject to following the international competitive procurement methodology.

The fleet of Sri Lankan Aviation Company Limited comprises of a large number of economical narrow body aircrafts. As a result, more attention was paid on the passenger air routes network in the recent years.

This led to the underutilization of aero goods transportation potential due to the lack of suitable aircraft that cater to the goods transportation facility.

However, with the coronavirus pandemic, most of the aircraft companies have paid attention on aero goods transportation since passenger flights were limited. SriLankan Airlines currently operates flights to 26 destinations.

Considering the current market changes, it has become a fine opportunity for the main aeronautical companies to enter into the goods transportation market via main air routes seeking the goods transportation market there.

Therefore, paying attention on the potential for air goods transportation, it has been planned to change the available Sri Lankan company structure strategically.

Accordingly, Cabinet approval has been granted to obtain an aircraft for goods transportation. (Colombo Gazette)