SriLankan AirTaxi Flies to Anuradhapura. Daily Flights to Mahawilachchiya Tank from February 4 to 11 Provides Fast Aceess to Deyata Kirula Exhibition

03rd February 2012, www.dailynews.lk

SriLankan Air Taxi will operate daily scheduled flights to Mahawilachchiya Tank, Anuradhapura from February 4 to 11, 2012, providing fast and comfortable transfers to the exhibition venue of Deyata Kirula.

These special flights are in response to the strong demand for domestic travel within the country and in support of the government showcasing a series of development projects through this exhibition.

So far SriLankan Airlines has carried domestic travellers to 14 domestic tourist destinations and Mahawilachchiya will be added to its network as the 15th destination. The scheduled flights will depart from Peliyagoda pier and arrive in Mahavilachchiya daily, between February 4 to 11.

SriLankan will operate air taxi scenic flights in Anuradhapura for residents and visitors to the exhibition. For flight information and reservations, call Customer Service hotline 1979.

SriLankan Air Taxi, currently operates to popular tourist destinations; Bentota, Koggala, Dikwella, Dambulla, Kandy, (Polgolla and Victoria) Nuwara Eliya, Hambantota, Tissamaharama, Castlereagh, Arugam Bay, Ampara and Iranamadu either as scheduled flights or charters.

Air Taxi transfers passengers from Colombo to any point in its route network within half an hour to one hour, and is now one of the quickest methods of travel from Colombo to any part of the country. Charter flights are also offered to all Air Taxi destinations.

SriLankan Airlines will expand its Air Taxi operations to more destinations within the country, to ensure smooth and seamless transfers, especially for the increasing number of foreign visitors to the country.

 SriLankan Airlines AirTaxi Route Map in Sri Lanka:

 Related Info :

• Demand for Domestic Air Travel to Go up with Increase in Tourist Arrivals

Demand for Domestic Air Travel to Go up with Increase in Tourist Arrivals

06th January 2012

With incresing tourist arrivals which is expected to go past one million mark for the year 2012, Sri Lanka is set for a grand take off of its domestic air travel. Already four companies are opearting domestic services with another new player already entering the market. The demand for domestic air services and the comtetition that would create in the sector should create an ideal environment good for both the traveller and the operator.

SriLankan Air Taxi

SriLankan Airlines will commence its Air Taxi operations island wide, taking you to more popular tourist destinations in the south and the hill country within minutes. Twin otter planes on straight floats with a seating capacity for 15 passengers will take off and land on identified lakes, lagoons & reservoirs.

Scheduled flights connecting to SriLankan Airlines international flights will operate daily, while charter flights and the ever popular scenic flights will also be available. (Flight Schedule)

Availing of the air taxi service will provide business and leisure travellers with the advantage of reaching their destinations in less than 85% of the time spent on surface travel. Adventure seekers will enjoy the view of the many breath-taking locations in Sri Lanka where land like no other.

Reservations for scheduled flights can be made through SriLankan Airlines offices or on-line through the airline's website.

For Charter flight, requests may be e-mailed at least 24 hours prior to required departure to airtaxi@srilankan.com or call Sri Lanka - 1979, international - 00 94 77777 1979.

AirTaxi - Flight Schedules and More Info


Helitours

Helitours the largest & premier domestic air service in Sri Lanka, operated by the SLAF, completed its 200th flight on the 24th March 2010 since resumption of operations last year.

Helitours resumed its operations on the 21st of July last year after the successful conclusion of the "humanitarian operations". Since then, Helitours has transported 2669 passengers, clocking nearly 520 flying hours in the process.

Other than scheduled flights, Helitours offers a range of other services utilizing its fleet of helicopters. "Heli-lifts" to any part of the country or to any off-shore platforms are performed. Shore to ship operations are also carried out. Special arrangements can be made to transport patients.

HeliTours - Flight Schedules and More Info


Expo Air

Expo Aviation (Pvt) Ltd. has proven that the sky is not the limit as it forges new boundaries for Sri Lanka and Sri Lankan aviation.  The country’s premier operator of domestic passenger air services, Expo Aviation has the distinction of being the first private airline in Sri Lanka to be licensed for international cargo operations by the Sri Lankan Civil Aviation Authority (CAA).

In addition to providing Passenger and Cargo operations in the region, Expo Aviation offers a range of value added services to the Aviation industry, such as leasing of aircraft to other operators, Passenger and Cargo Charter operations and performing its own Ground Handling for Cargo operations at the Bandaranaike International Airport.

ExpoAir - Flight Schedules and More Info


Deccan Aviation

Deccan Aviation Lanka is a seven year old helicopter and charter aircraft operator based in Sri Lanka.

Over the past years we have built a reputaion based on the sound principles of superior customer care, starting with our personal meet-and-greet service at the airport, and ending with your safe arrival at your intended destination.

Deccan can take you to any place in Sri Lanka. Whatever your requirement we have aircraft and helicopters suitable for any mission. For international flights, Deccan has a fleet of executive jets through its parent company Deccan Charters India.

Deccan Aviation - Charter Flights and More Info


Senok Aviation

The Senok Group, chiefly in the automobile business, is set to start a domestic helicopter service in November deploying two brand new Eurocopter AS350-B3 purchased from French company Eurocopter South East Asia, officials of the company said. The acquisition of the two helicopters marks the start of the Senok Group’s venture into the aviation business, providing helicopter services to corporate customers and tourists locally.


The company has received the Air Operator Certificate to commence operations, he said adding that the company plans to popularize heli-tourism in the island with the sound economic environment and tourism industry thriving in the country and the company anticipates the demand for domestic airlines especially from investors and tourists will increase significantly.

Related Info :

• Sri Lanka Tourist Arrivals in December 2011 Up by 15.2pct

SriLankan Airlines Air Taxi Offers Bird's Eye View of Sri Lanka's Scenic Beauty

24th July 2011, www.sundayobserver.lk, By Lalin Fernandopulle

Do you want a bird's eye view of Sri Lanka's plush green land and the scenic beauty of beaches? A cruise on SriLankan Airlines air taxi will provide that unique experience. A journey on a bright sunny day provides a clear view of the panoramic diversity of the country.

A traveller could reach his destination without any hassle within half an hour on a air taxi that flies to 12 key locations from Colombo. The flight takes off from the Kelaniya River from a location adjacent to a historic temple in Peliyagoda.

Manager Product Development, Commercial Division, Airline Centre, SriLankan Airlines, Sanjeeva Jayatileke said that locations and landing spots have been identified to operate domestic flights.

"We hope to retain the location at Peliyagoda while considering the Beira Lake as an alternative spot for landing and take off", he said.

The air taxi flies to Bentota three days a week. Plans are afoot to increase the number of flights to the South.

The 17-seater air taxi operates flights to Kandy, Nuwara Eliya, Bentota, Koggala,Dickwella, Tissamaharama, Hambantota, Arugam Bay, Passikuda, Trincomalee and Jaffna.

He said they hope to resume flights to Nuwara Eliya which have been suspended due to bad weather.

There is a big demand for flights to Nuwara Eliya which is the most preferred location among tourists. We have identified two locations in Kandy and hope to operate flights on a daily basis.

Jayatileke said that there are more tourists today in hotels due to the air taxi which flies to 12 key locations on a daily basis.

"We hope to issue tickets at the dockside for the convenience of travellers and facilitate a speedy service", he said.

"Dambulla is the latest addition to the locations of the domestic flight operation. Plans are afoot to launch charter flights to Passikuda, Arugam Bay and Jaffna this year", a SriLankan Airlines official said.

He said plans are under way to launch charter flights to Tissamaharamaya and Ampara. "We are looking at launching a flight to Castlereigh soon."

The speciality of the air taxi operations is that a traveller could reach his or her destination within an hour.

The tourism industry has been anxiously anticipating the resumption of domestic air flights which provides a turbo boost to the travel industry.

The sea plane operation will help promote the destination and support the endeavour of the tourism industry to reach the target of attracting 2.5 million visitors by 2015.

The sea plane operation in Sri Lanka resumed late last year following a temporary suspension in 2008 for security reasons.

"There is a tremendous demand for domestic air flights which ward off the hassle of a long cumbersome journey by road.

We hope to raise the standard of service to international level which would woo more travellers to the country", Jayatileke said.

SriLankan Airlines hopes to develop a sea plane airstrip at Ja-ela shortly to facilitate a quick transit to any key location in the country.

"We hope to introduce more aircraft, increase the number of flights, pilots and stewards to offer a unique service.

The airline has commenced training airforce pilots who will be absorbed to the operations soon", Jayatileke said.

SriLankan Airlines currently operates two aircraft from Kennborek Calgery, Canada on a two-year wet lease agreement which will expire in December 2012.

The original plan, to commence operations from the Negombo lagoon came to a halt due to opposition from the fisherfolk in the area. The project was opposed due to adverse environmental impact envisaged by operating, sea planes, on marine life.

"We have obtained clearance from the Central Environmental Authority to operate flights at 12 locations which we hope to increase it to 20 this year. Steps have been taken to ensure that there is no adverse impact on the environment", an official said.

Sea plane operations have given a new dimension to tourism in Sri Lanka which has revived rapidly since the dawn of peace.

It will entice more tourists to the country which has a host of attractions to offer the traveller.

The air taxi service is still not a profit making venture though there is much hype about domestic flights.

"We hope to turn the operations into a profitable venture by introducing more services to attract tourists", a SriLankan Airlines official said.

Flight Operations Administration and Technical, Project Manager, Safety and Quality Auditor, SriLankan Airlines, Pulasthi Jayasinha said that the air taxi service has a value to transportation and added that float planes will be a boost to develop the tourism industry.

The water level in reservoirs is a vital factor to operate sea planes which require a 4000 feet runway and four feet depth to berth.

Jayasinha said that the dawn to dusk operation of the air taxi service will be manned by professional local crew who will offer an unmatched service to passengers.

The air taxi flights are manned by a Canadian crew. "It is exciting to be in Sri Lanka and we enjoy every bit of the stay in the country. We will offer our best service to promote tourism in Sri Lanka," a crew member said.

The sea plane is a popular mode of transportation in many tourist destinations.

Image: The SriLankan Airlines De Havilland Twin Otter aircraft Pix: Sulochana Gamage

Related Info :

• SriLankan Air Taxi Launches Operations to Nuwara Eliya with a Group of Distinguished Passengers

• Sri Lanka's Mattala International Airport to be Ready in 2012. Hambantota Airport will be an Alternative to BIA, Colombo

• Sri Lanka to Open Skies with Permission to Operate Float Planes, Helicopters & Hot Air Balloons

SriLankan Air Taxi Launches Operations to Nuwara Eliya with a Group of Distinguished Passengers

03rd April 2011, www.island.lk

SriLankan Airlines air taxi service launched their operations to Nuwara Eliya last week with a team of distinguished passengers on board their first charter flight to the destination.

The flight which takes just 30 minutes to reach Nuwara Eliya from Colombo and flies over some of the most breathtakingly beautiful landscapes of the hill country carried a team from the Swire Group in Hong Kong and their partners, James Finlay Group in Colombo.

The team from Hong Kong joined their colleagues in Colombo to visit James Finlay estates in Nuwara Eliya. SriLankan Air Taxi also operates air services to – Kandy, Bentota, Ampara, Koggala, Hambantota and Tangalle, the airline said.

Image: From left: Guy Bradley, CEO Swire Properties, James Hughes-Hallett, Chairman Swire Group and former Chairman Cathay Pacific Airlines, Naresh Ratwatte, Chairman Finlay Tea Estates and Dhayan Madawala, CEO Finlay Tea Estates, before they boarded the air taxi.

Related Info :

• SriLankan Air Taxis Cover Natural Beauty of Sri Lanka in Half an Hour

SriLankan Air Taxi Float Planes Fly to Kandy World Cup Cricket Matches. Hambantota Sold out

28th February 2011, www.lankabusinessonline.com

SriLankan Airlines' says it has started a float plane service to Kandy to cover World Cup cricket matches at the Pallekelle grounds in Kandy in Central Sri Lanka.

The service will run from Colombo to the Victoria reservoir at 11.00 am on De Havilland Twin Otter aircraft on March 08, 10 and 14.

The 7,500 rupee offer has a return journey by bus, because matches end in the night, SriLankan Airlines said.

The airline said its flights to two matches in Hambantota in the south had been sold out.

Related Info :

• SriLankan Air Taxis Cover Natural Beauty of Sri Lanka in Half an Hour

SriLankan Air Taxis Fly to Galle Literary Festival, January 26th to 30th 2011

06th December 2010, www.island.lk

Once upon a time, ancient travellers like Marco Polo, Sindbad the Sailor, the Portuguese Admiral Lorenzo de Almeida…… they all sailed to Ceylon’s southern port city Galle. Centuries later, thousands of others travel by road.

If you’re planning to be part of next January’s Galle Literary Festival 2011, you can take a completely new option. In fact a most exciting option would be to fly to Galle, much to the envy of others. Yes, transportation to and from the Galle Literary Festival takes on an excitingly new dimension with SriLankan Air Taxis ferrying writers and visitors to the southern capital city and back for Galle’s most talked about event.

Now in its fifth successful year, the Galle Literary Festival to be held from January 26th to 30th has taken top billing both in Sri Lanka’s and the international literary/cultural calendar, drawing writers and visitors from all parts of the world. This year too SriLankan Airlines as the festival carrier will fly in participants from all parts of the airline’s network covering 49 destinations 31 countries. The majority of participants from Europe will fly out from London while many others will fly from Delhi.

For a fare of Rs. 12,000 + taxes, you can hop on board a SriLankan Air Taxi from Colombo to Galle for the day. In fact FlySmiles members can redeem miles too on this sector. What’s more … you also get a complimentary Day-Pass from SriLankan Air Taxis to the Galle Literary Festival on the day of your flight.

Taking off from Colombo, your flight will cruise at an altitude of 1500 to 3000 feet above sea level along Sri Lanka’s western coastline. Along the way it’s all yours to enjoy Colombo’s fast changing skyline from Moratuwa, Panadura to the sacred city Kalutara with its famed Bo Tree and Dagoba, where river meets sea.

You pass the Fisheries Harbour at Beruwela and swoop over scenic golden beaches of Bentota with its necklace of hotels dotting the coastline. Your final destination will be Koggala – deep in the Martin Wickremasinghe country – which evokes vivid images of ‘Madol Duwa’ and ‘Gamperaliya’, classics of Sri Lankan literature and immortalised in film by the doyen of Sri Lanka Dr. Lester James Peries.

This time’s festival will attract historians, poets, award winning writers, and biographers from England, India, Pakistan, Turkey, Nigeria, the Ukraine, Malaysia, Australia, Canada, USA, South Africa, and Sri Lanka.

Among them will be Nobel, Booker, Orange, Whitbread, Commonwealth and Gratiaen Prize winners who will be part of the activities including panel and solo discussions, concerts and workshops. There will also be gourmet lunches, Al fresco lunchtime concert picnics, dinners and late night revues and readings.

Adding to the excitement of the experience, SriLankan Air Taxis will also operate scenic flights out of nearby Koggala during this festival to enable foreign visitors to discover more of southern Sri Lanka from a bird’s eye perspective.

Sri Lanka ‘s historic Galle Fort exudes a distinct olde worlde charm. Every street corner, every old building, every tombstone and every archway have each a story of their own. These are stories, sometimes untold and waiting to be discovered by inquiring Sri Lankan and foreign visitors.

While savouring the 21st century charm of the Galle Literary Festival, you can also embark on a voyage back in time … when battles were lost and won, tales spun and charmed … and history created and reshaped in this UNESCO World Heritage site.

Related Info:
SriLankan Air Taxis Cover Natural Beauty of Sri Lanka in Half an Hour

Deccan Aviation Lanka Starts Air Taxi and Helicopter Shuttle Service

SriLankan Air Taxis Cover Natural Beauty of Sri Lanka in Half an Hour

23rd October 2010, www.island.lk

A new and unique way to capture the natural beauty of Sri Lanka in just half an hour will soon be on offer when SriLankan Airlines, introduces its latest service, the Air Taxi priced at Rs. 5,000 per passenger (from Colombo and Rs. 7,000 from Koggala, the airline announced.

"You don’t always have to be a visitor disembarking at the BIA and taking an air transfer to a pre-scheduled destination. You can simply get on board the Sri Lankan Airlines’ Air Taxis and g-l-i-d-e over Paradise Isle. The scenic routes take off from a water base either in Negombo Lagoon, the Kelani river, Koggala or Bentota. Within half an hour you will be mesmerized by some of the most breathtakingly scenic views of Sri Lanka’s multi-faceted variety and panoramic diversity at just 1500 feet to 3000 feet above sea level,’’ a news release on the launch of the new activity said.

SriLankan Airlines’ float planes will operate from several water bases around the country and have scheduled flights to all these destinations for visitors to the country from BIA. Destinations currently on the cards are the Kelani river, Negombo lagoon, the Tissamaharama tank, Bentota, Kandy, Ampara, Nuwara Eliya, Koggala, Dickwella, and Dambulla.

The scenic route is expected to be a popular half an hour ride for families with children, an ideal opportunity to take a ride in an airplane and view the country’s scenic sights from the clouds and for visitors to the country who wish to catch an aerial view of Sri Lanka.

"A typical scenic route flight, taking off from the Negombo lagoon, will fly over the lush, verdant paddy fields and winding rivers of its western plains and cruise back to base, skimming over the western beaches of Wattala and Negombo,’’ the release said.

"A scenic flight taking off from Bentota or Koggala, will also cruise over its western plains and return to base over the famed southern beaches of Sri Lanka.

"If you choose to take off from the Kelaniya river with a majestic view of the Kelani Temple with its brilliant white dagoba, you will fly over the city of Colombo and then fly over the western beaches of Wattala and Negombo, back to Kelani river.’’

Head of Worldwide Sales Sri Lankan Airlines, Mr. Mohamed Fazeel said, "We are confident that these scenic routes will rejuvenate domestic tourism. The plus is that it takes only half an hour to take a scenic route flight. We are primarily offering two kinds of flights. One which transports visitors from the BIA to destinations of their choice while the other is the 30 minutes scenic flights which both reveal and showcase the beauty of the country".

Scenic flights from Colombo will be priced at Rs 5,000/- per person all inclusive and flights out of Bentota and Koggala at Rs. 7,000/-. Flights can be extended for forty five minutes to one hour at a higher cost to fly over the central hills of Sri Lanka.

SriLankan Airlines will initially operate two Twin Otter aircraft, each with a capacity of up to 15 passengers.

"The scenic flights are available every weekend from Colombo and throughout the week from Bentota while special on-call scenic flights can be arranged for groups,’’ the release said.

"Sri Lanka is unfolding itself as it has never done before. Take to the skies and be part of it!’’

Deccan Aviation Lanka Starts Air Taxi and Helicopter Shuttle Service

09th October 2010, www.island.lk

With tourism arrivals expected to climb to record levels this winter, the domestic airline segment is the next growth sector of the economy, travel experts predict.

Deccan Aviation, the country’s only privately owned domestic airline has announced the commencement of a helicopter shuttle service from the international airport.

"We have been virtually the sole internal air option for tourists and investors for the past several years and the launch of the heli shuttle service from the international airport is for the expected influx of visitors in the months ahead. We are very excited at being able to offer our guests our services on a per seat fare basis for the first time and will be the first helicopter scheduled service in the country," said the company in a statement.

‘The daily double service’ will link the International airport with any destination in the south coast from October 15, 2010 with two daily flights.

"What is unique about our daily double scheduled operations is that, unlike other scheduled operations, the actual destination where you will land in the schedule is determined by the client, not by the operator," explained Denham Schokman, Director, Deccan Aviation. Elaborating on the objectives of introducing the new scheduled operations, Mr. Schokman stated that it aims to introduce more flexibility and popularise air travel in Sri Lanka.

The twice daily schedule will depart from the Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) at 6.30 am and 15.30 pm, and returning to the airport at 10.20 am and 18.30 pm, respectively, while stopping at various destinations on the southern coast including Bentota, Galle and Tangalle.

Deccan is Sri Lanka’s only airline with the approval to fly both fixed wing and helicopters, over the past six years, Deccan has flown both the leisure and corporate travellers to various destinations across the country including regional charters to destinations such as Maldives and India. The operator already boasts of 180 established helipads all over Sri Lanka, with the newest entrant to its list of destinations being Colombo 6.

In addition to the scheduled operations, it is understood that Deccan will continue to fly on charter to other destinations in the country.

Further enhancing the services offered by Deccan, a second helicopter will be inducted in the future, while December will see the arrival of a new eight-seater aircraft, GA8, to Sri Lanka. "We hope to adopt the same strategy and operate scheduled services using the GA8 aircraft, not only to the coastal destinations, but to other parts of the country, like Jaffna, Trincomalee and Ampara," Denham stated.

SriLankan Launches Air Taxi Service this December in Time for the Winter Tourist Season

28th September 2010, www.srilankan.aero

SriLankan Airlines is set to re-launch its domestic floatplane service – SriLankan Air Taxi – starting this December in time for the winter tourist season.

SriLankan’s Head of Worldwide Sales Mohamed Fazeel said: “We are delighted to announce that we will shortly be adding a new dimension to domestic travel, enabling all types of travelers to reach most parts of the island within 40 minutes. International visitors arriving in Sri Lanka can go straight on to their destinations with convenient connections.”

The National Carrier is planning to acquire two Twin Otter aircraft for the operation, each with a capacity of up to 15 passengers. These twin-engined aircraft are currently being sourced.

“SriLankan Air Taxi will supplement the country’s existing land-based domestic air services, as there are many parts of the country in which aerodromes are not conveniently located, but there are plenty of rivers and lakes that can serve as water-dromes. We have studied the market and there is definitely a demand for a rapid and convenient service among both tourists and Sri Lankans – from individuals and families to corporate groups,” said Fazeel.

Air Taxi operated for three years until operations were suspended in June 2007 at the height of the island’s conflict due to necessary security restrictions on domestic flying. During that period, it operated 3,000 flights and carried more than 17,000 passengers.

The airline’s plans include operating out of the city of Colombo, which would provide greater convenience for city dwellers than spending up to an hour and a half by road to reach either of the airports near the city – Bandaranaike International Airport and Colombo Airport in Ratmalana.

“While the country’s road network is rapidly developing, every country needs a good domestic flying service. We believe this would definitely strengthen the country’s tourism industry and draw more high-end travellers to the island. Air Taxi will give travelers the option of turning a 6-hour road trip into a 40-minute flight. This means you reach your destination fresh and smiling, rather than hot and bothered,” said Fazeel.

New water-dromes that Air Taxi is likely to operate from include Colombo’s Beira Lake, the Negombo Lagoon, Castlereagh, Tissamaharama and Arugam Bay. It would also operate to the many locations that were earlier used - Kandy, Bentota, Nuwara Eliya, Galle (Koggala), Ampara, Trincomalee, Dambulla and Dickwella.

“Air Taxi is extremely flexible, so anyone can book flights to wherever they want to go. We are also planning daily scheduled flights which would cover several destinations, as well as special air tours such as a Scenic Tour, charter flights, flights for special events such as cultural and sports events, and many more,” said Fazeel.

The low-flying aircraft would also provide a panoramic view of the island’s palm-fringed golden beaches, lush tropical forests, gushing waterfalls, and mist-swathed mountains.