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

Sri Lanka & Philippines Sign Air Deal for Direct Flights between the Two Countries

21st July 2011, www.news360.lk

Sri Lanka and Philippines have signed a new deal on Tuesday to increase flights between the two countries.

This deal, reports say may pave the way for the launching of the first direct flight between Philippines and Sri Lanka.

At present, there are no direct flights between the two countries.

“The new agreement is expected to make any services that the respective airlines of both countries may plan to operate in the future more viable,” Civil Aeronautics Board (CAB) executive director of Philippines Carmelo Arcilla has told the Philippine media.

Under the new deal, flights between Manila and Colombo will be increased to four from two a week.

Both air panels have also agreed to remove restrictions on the number of flights to points outside Manila.

Philippines also have granted Sri Lanka “fifth freedom” rights from points outside Manila to Bangkok, Jakarta and Kuala Lumpur.

“This means Sri Lankan airlines will be able to pick up passengers from these secondary routes and bring them to the said Southeast Asian cities” added a media report.

Related Info :

• Philippines to Strengthen Investment Ties with Sri Lanka

• SriLankan Cuts Fares by 20pct to Offer Flexible & Competitive Range of Fares for Flights from Colombo

• Sri Lanka in Citi's 3G Economies. Global Growth Generators Identify 11 Countries with Most Promising Growth Prospects. BRICS Displaced

Increased Flights between UK & Sri Lanka from the Winter Season of 2011-2012

07th April 2011, www.lankabusinessonline.com

Sri Lanka is to sign an air services agreement with the United Kingdom enabling increased flights between the two countries, a government statement said.

The air services agreement would enable the frequency entitlement to be increased to 21 flights a week from 14 today between the two countries.

The increased frequency of flights will be effective from the winter season of 2011-2012.

The island's national carrier Sri Lankan Airlines has been wanting to increase flights to the UK to cater to increasing demand.

The UK has long been one of the key tourist generating markets for the island.

Tourist arrivals have been increasing since the country's 30-year ethnic war ended in May 2009 and arrivals hit a record 654,000 in 2010, up 46 percent from the year before.

The authorities are expecting 750,000 arrivals in 2011 and plan to attract 2.5 million visitors by 2015.

The government statement said the Cabinet of ministers approved a proposal by civil aviation minister Priyankara Jayaratne to sign an air services agreement with the United Kingdom.

Related Info :

• India's Spice Jet Flies to Sri Lanka. British Airways Resume Flights to Colombo with Kingfisher

• Sri Lanka Expects 100,000 British Tourists in 2010

High Demand for Heli Flights in Sri Lanka

18th December 2010, www.dailynews.lk

Against a backdrop of increasing economic activity in all parts of the country domestic airlines such as Deccan Aviation reports a significant increase in domestic flights to the North and East.

The company revealed that the average sector flying time is on the rise with more flights being taken to the East coast, Trincomalee, Pasikuda and Arugam Bay tops the list of hot destinations.

With over 180 established helipads in the country, helicopter charters are becoming an essential travel option to both business and leisure travellers.

"In this day and age, business travellers look for something extra, cruising at 160 km per hour with a range of 480 km, helicopters allow guests to make multiple visits and return back the same day avoiding the stress associated with travelling by road and the extra cost of accommodation," Deccan Aviation Lanka CEO Denham Schokman said.

The company recently introduced a helicopter schedule service connecting the international airport with major tourist destinations in the South coast.

"We see a lot of opportunities to extend our schedule to the East coast especially during the season, definite plans are underway to induct an eight-seat fixed wing aircraft which is scheduled to be in Sri Lanka early 2011 in time for the season," Schokman said.

Related Info:
Deccan Aviation Lanka Starts Air Taxi and Helicopter Shuttle Service