Civil Aviation-Air Force to run domestic airports
Civil aviation authorities are aiming to work with the Sri Lanka Air Force (SLAF) in operating five main domestic airports in the country, an official said. The government aviation official told the Business Times this week that plans were underway to conduct a dual operation between the civil aviation authorities and the military. It was pointed out that within the next 18 months authorities would have developed at least two airports namely China Bay and Batticaloa while the others Palaly, Koggala, Kalpitiya and Ampara would be taken up later. Ratmalana is already being used under a Civil Aviation-Air Force operational structure in the operation of civilian flights and is the main air base centre in Colombo. These are all military airfields, actively used during the conflict but also for civilian transportation.Senior air force officials were unavailable for comment on the air force role in operation and maintenance. Officials observed that right now a budget of approximately Rs.750 million would be invested in the development of two airports. Scandinavian countries were said to be funding development on the airports.
In the meantime, the SLAF would be vibrantly competing in the domestic airline business through its commercial arm, Helitours. This operation is carried out both on charter and scheduled flights, SLAF spokesman Wing Commander Shiraz Jaldeen told the Business Times. He noted that the newest aircraft brought down were two MA 60s in addition to the current fleet available with the air force.
It was pointed out that depending on the services required the national air force’s aircraft would be utilized to operate this particular service. A fixed wing aircraft or helicopters would be provided in this service and moreover, he observed that in areas where there was no landing space available they would make use of helicopters as in Hambantota and Kandy. In fact during the recent cricket tournament the cricket teams were provided air travel to venues outside Colombo through Helitours, he said. Running at a relatively lower rate than its other counterparts in Sri Lankan skies, the Helitours is expected to provide a boost for the local tourism industry, he explained.
However, although its airfares were lower it was pointed out that they were not aiming at being competitive. Commenting on the future air force shuttle operation between Hambantota (to cater to the needs of the upcoming Mattala airport) and Colombo, Wing Commander Jaldeen observed this was yet to be finalized and would depend on the requirements to travel there. Last week a test flight was held at the southern airport in which the first phase is due to open around the first quarter of 2013.
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