Sri Lanka Aviation

Now I know why they took delivery to 2 Xian MA60 aircraft a couple of months ago.

Aviation policy to boost air cargo, transshipment

A new policy change in the aviation sector has been mooted with a focus on infrastructure development and promotion of air cargo and transshipment with the participation of the country's two main carriers. SriLankan Airlines and Mihin Lanka have been identified as the main carriers in the country that would be actively involved in policy implementation.

Currently, the policy is at the draft stage with the statement on the plans for the sector listed in a media advertisement by the Civil Aviation Ministry as a white paper proposal and calling for public comments.
In the creation of an aviation hub the government plans to use the services of the national carrier and the local budget airline to engage in matters connected with aviation in the national policy implementation, the statement said. As part of the policy it has been proposed to adopt managed liberalized air services arrangements with an eye on traffic rights; targeting key tourist markets; and the creation of city pairs.

In addition, the government will focus on maintenance, promotion and encourage new domestic airports. In a bid to attract increased tourist generating activities aero sports would be looked at keenly. And while the opening of the Southern skies has already been declared plans are underway to expand this policy to other areas as well. Infrastructure development of airports would be carried out by drawing the relevant Airport Master Plans for all airports.

In this respect, there is a focus on promoting air cargo and transshipment with the development of air cargo handling facilities and capabilities. This would be further integrated with the handling of sea cargo in coordination with the ports sector, the draft policy states. Towards achieving these goals the Sri Lanka Air Force (SLAF) would assist in providing the necessary security measures and increased coordination with the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA).

In this respect, a sharing of information, personnel and equipment would be carried out through the establishment of a Joint Civil-Military Coordination Committee. Other areas related to human resource development; investment through foreign and public private partnership; consumer protection; and environment protection through zero carbon emission in aviation have also been detailed.

Helitours - Timetables and fares: http://www.helitours.lk/Contactus.html

Helitours Flight booking - doesnt work

Ya… Looks like a error on website.........

Yah, and to put private operators out of business ..

I wonder how anybody can compete with the Bell 212s and 412s, as the rest are all using EC 350 or R44 or B 206 ..

Colombo Madurai flight service?

A delegation from Tamil Nadu Chamber of Commerce and Industry accompanied by Mr B. Manicka Tagore, Member of Parliament from Virudhunagar, met Mr Prasad Kariyawasam, High Commissioner for Sri Lanka in India at New Delhi on Saturday. It submitted a memorandum on an early introduction of international flight service between Colombo and Madurai and urged for an arrangement for diversion of any other flight by Sri Lankan Airlines for operation between Madurai and Colombo or for connecting Madurai in any other existing service by Sri Lankan Airlines between any other city in India and Colombo, till such time Sri Lankan Airlines is able to acquire a new aircraft for the purpose.

In the memorandum, the Chamber pointed out that around 1,200 passengers per week travel from southern districts of Tamil Nadu to Colombo and recalled the meeting with Mr Nishantha Wickramasinghe, Chairman, Sri Lankan Airlines, during his visit to Tiruchi on and the detailed interactions with him on the abundant passenger and freight potential available in Madurai and other southern districts of Tamil Nadu for the introduction of direct flight between Madurai and Colombo and from there to other international destinations by Sri Lankan Airlines and the guarantee from the Chamber and Travel Club, Madurai, on that occasion, for the minimum number of passengers in the direct flight from Madurai to Colombo to be introduced by Sri Lankan Airlines.

It added that the Chairman of Sri Lankan Airlines assured to implement the proposal and arrange for the introduction of the flight at the earliest.

Colombo Madurai flight service?

Still no any official response from UL, are they interested?

No private ops have taken into their heads to bring in MA60s (yet). With the appalling safety record of that thing I don't know if anyone will be willing to fly one of those for a cheaper price... But how much does an average Joe knows about them?

Probabably splashing out the 900 million US $ or so on a couple of A320s set them back ........ , but seriously you should not utter such blasphemy .... there is nothing wrong...... everything is working ok........ this is all the work of unscrupulous jealous elements trying to tarnish the good name..... as with anything over there

hi guys, mostly 90% CMB-IXM is going on improvement in desk speech. but the two govt and UL no official talks and reports to media about the confirmation. Although some higer official meet will be in colombo middle this month. Is it confirm and can everybody know about it? but one thing bfore tamil new year we all expect and welcome UL to madurai.wait and see the short announcement.
good day
athisaravanan
madurai

I was referring to Heli Tours competing with the other private operators, using MA 60 (as the poster shows .. )

As for the loss incurred by UL, yes, probably it is all due to the nefarious works of 'foreign' elements I guess ..

Still no any official response from UL

SriLankan Airlines has called on all economy class passengers to check in an hour before scheduled time of departure in a move to ease congestion at the airport. "All SriLankan Airlines economy class check in counters will close 60 minutes before scheduled time of departure from February 01, 2012," a statement said.
http://www.lankabusinessonline.com/f...nid=1326439393

Are you listening us?

UL, you are leaving 15 millions of peoples who are living in and around Madurai districts in vain.