SLAF commercial tours
Helitours (Pvt.) Ltd., one of the many commercial services offered by the Sri Lankan Air Force, held a press briefing last week at the Air Force Headquarters to enlighten travellers, tour operators and the media about the diverse services they offer. Previously used only for military purposes, the company is an example of how the armed forces are making use of their expertise in work other than warfare.
At the press conference (from right) Manager Sales and Ticketing of Helitours, Wing Commander Thilangani Warakagoda, Media Officer, Air Commodore Andrew Wijesuriya, Air Vice Marshal Gangana Bulathsinghala, Senior Air Staff Officer, Group Captain Shehan Fernando and Secretary of Eagles’ Golf Links, Wing Commander Wasantha Kumara.
Helitours which was opened in 1972 by the Air Force is registered under the Companies’ Act. They have four types of helicopters and three types of fixed wing aircraft and provide services such as flights to Jaffna, Batticaloa, Vavuniya, Mattala and Ampara, chartered flights for offshore operations, passenger tours, medical evacuation and ambulance service, scenic photography and flower dropping etc. So far the company has notched up 205 flights, accounting for 55 percent of the market.
They also do international ticketing and have counters at the Bandaranaike International Airport, Colombo and Jaffna, as well as all their air-bases and units. Their services have also expanded to the Mattala airport.
The other commercial services offered are flights to Marble Beach Resort, Eagles’ Golf Links, Eagles’ Bay View at China Bay, and Eagles’ Lagoon View at Katunayake, which are all resorts run by the Air Force.
All profits from the leisure services go to the Command Welfare Fund which supports disabled airmen and their families, next of kin of deceased airmen as well as helping the children of airmen.
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