Simplifly gets amphibian aircraft

Simplifly (formerly Deccan Aviation Lanka) took delivery of its new amphibian aircraft in December 2012 and is in the final stages of training operations in advance of commercial flights.

Owned by Fairway Holdings, a local company engaged in property development and other businesses, the advanced Cessna T206H will be managed and operated by the airline on behalf of the owners of the aircraft, said a spokesman for Simplifly.

"We congratulate Fairway Holdings on the induction of their first aircraft and thank them for selecting Simplifly as their operating partners. Fairway has a bold new vision aimed at linking tourism and aviation in Sri Lanka, and thus, we will be working closely with them to develop a completely new business model for this aircraft, for applications ranging from whale watching to excursion flights," said Vice Chairman, Simplifly, Suren Mirchandani.

"With the growth in Sri Lanka's economy, many companies with interests around the country will be looking at having their own aircraft or helicopters for their business activities. Fairway Holdings is the first of many to do so. We see the potential to manage many more aircraft on behalf of companies that understand the benefits of owning an aircraft, but do not wish to have their own license and infrastructure."

The Cessna 206, a five passenger aircraft operaties to all airfields and most water-dromes in the country.

The airline recently launched its 'Ready-Jet-Go' program, a turnkey aircraft management solution for companies which wish to have their own corporate aircraft in Sri Lanka, providing operating licences, hangars, pilots and engineering under one roof and turning the aircraft's idle time into revenue by chartering it to third parties.

The airline will start commercial operations in March.