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Sunday, 8 March 2015

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Private helicopter operators cry foul

The private domestic air transportation sector makes a salient contribution to the growth of the tourism industry.

However, its contribution is stifled due to the absence of a level playing field for landing. Landing restrictions imposed in Colombo and certain other locations for private helicopter operators has hampered business. Domestic flight operators said that except for Helitours operated by the Sri Lanka Air Force, private operators are not permitted to land in Colombo which is a key location for tourism.Private helicopter operators were barred from landing in the city due to security reasons during the war. Despite the war being over almost six years ago, the restriction is still in force for private operators.

“We need a level playing field to expand operations. Colombo is a vital location for foreign and local corporate travellers. This market is affected by the uneven playing field,” Millennium Airlines, simplifly, Head of Sales and Business Development, Ishan Munaweera said.

Operators said that the government has lifted road transportation restrictions but not landing restrictions. The Galle Face Green and the Air Force grounds are ideal locations for landing and take-off.

”We have begun negotiations with Waters Edge Hotel officials to secure landing rights at the premises which will help boost wedding, leisure and the sports market,” Munaweera said.

A senior official of the industry said that he was confident that the new Ministry of Ports and Aviation, Arjuna Ranatunga will create a level playing field soon for the industry. Helicopters are one of the fastest modes of transport as it occupies less space for take-off and landing. Air Senok, Cinnamon Air, Daya Aviation and simplifly of Millennium Airlines operate domestic flights. Millennium Airlines, launched in 2004, operates a fixed wing aircraft, a helicopter and a sea plane and uses the Ratmalana airport and Colts grounds as its base.

Munaweera said that the company was prohibited from using the Peradeniya Agriculture Department grounds in Gannoruwa for landing. Air Senok sources said that the company has been facing the problem of landing restrictions in the city for a long time and added that a level playing field will boost the growth of the sector.

Daya Aviation, Cordinator Operations and Maintenance, Gayani Pathirana said that the company will face the same situation when it launches helicopter flights soon. “We hope that the restrictions on landing in Colombo will be lifted paving the way for a level playing field,” she said.

Daya Aviation with over 20 years in the industry, operates a fixed wing aircraft in Sri Lanka and a 19-seater aircraft in the USA. Domestic aviation which had a rugged course during the time of the conflict with severe travel restrictions revived with the dawn of peace.

Experts said that despite the absence of a conflict the expected pace of growth has not taken place due to lack of skilled pilots, engineers, high maintenance costs and uneven playing field.

Private operators said that they have to keep their rates high due to high maintenance costs such as hangers and salaries of pilots which has to match international standards. The domestic airports at Ampara, Koggala, China-Bay, Jaffna and Ratmalana have been developed as ‘City Airports’ to develop the market for charter and scheduled flights for private operations. Sri Lanka Tourism is spearheading a campaign to woo more visitors to the scenic island which attracted around 1.3 million travellers last year.

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