Deccan Aviation in limbo

Deccan Aviation which launched its helicopter service in Sri Lanka in 2004 has stepped back from plans to commence Deccan Lanka, a budget carrier service between Sri Lanka, southern Indian cities, Singapore, Dubai and Sharjah.

Previous media reports suggested that Deccan Lanka would be using three Airbus A320's as well as three ATR's with fifty seats each. However, these plans have now been shelved. Sources at Deccan Aviation say that 'to the best of their knowledge, the company is not progressing' with plans for the airline. Deccan Aviation's helicopter service in Sri Lanka, a unit of Deccan Aviation – India, is the only operator to have secured Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) approval.

Chief HMC Nimalsiri of the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) told the Sunday Times FT that Deccan Aviation submitted an application to commence the airline services. Nimalsiri said the application was approved but that the time limit has since expired in october 2006. "They have not come back to me," he said. Nimalsiri added that the company has asked for an extension of the time limit and the application is currently with the Minister. However, Chief Nimalsiri said he does not know if an extension will be granted.