Financial Times

NSC restricts floatplane operations
By Duruthu Edirimuni
The National Security Council (NSC), citing security reasons, has restricted the use of float planes in domestic operations by SriLankan Airlines allowing its operations on land but not on water, officials said.

The NSC however is yet to grant any permission for private helicopter operations. Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) Chief H.M.C. Nimalsiri told The Sunday Times FT that the NSC had given the go ahead for th e floatplanes to operate on land - at airports - and not waterways like rivers or lakes.

Informed sources said that permission from the NSC has been given to float planes to operate only in Hingurakgoda, Ampara, Anuradhapura and Trincomalee airfields close to the Sri Lanka Air Force bases.

SriLankan Airlines sources said the airline would fly to all these locations with an 8-seater plane but would not fly to Ampara. The airline initiated its amphibious float plane operations in December and had already completed six commercial flights to Bentota, Victoria and Koggala before it was suspended due to the NSC ruling.

Meanwhile Deccan Aviation, an Indian collaboration together with Favourite Group launching helicopter charters, is to get a technical competence certification but not the permit to fly as yet.

"We will go ahead with the technical competence certification for Deccan Aviation and will publicise the intention of granting them the Air Operating Certificate (AOC) within two weeks," said CAA's Nimalsiri.

Deccan Aviation is to use a Textron Bell 206 L3IL4 helicopter. It is the largest private sector helicopter company in India and is backed by technical tie-ups with Bristow Helicopters.

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