Govt. reduces airline costs at BIA

Sri Lankan authorities have initiated measures to reduce costs of airline operations and also reduce airfares to the country for a period of six months from August 1.

In this respect the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) stated today in a media release that Ceylon Petroleum Corporation (CPC) has been asked to sell aviation fuel at cost.

In addition, SriLankan Airlines has been asked to reduce the ground handling charges by a certain percentage depending on aircraft size and frequency of operations.

The release also stated that the Treasury has been instructed to defer the implementation of budget proposal to increase the embarkation levy by US$10.

With these measures, the release noted that the government expects airlines to pass the benefit of these concessions to customers by way of reduced air fares; airlines' promotional activities on Sri Lanka; restore suspended flights and increase existing frequencies and capacities; and start flights to Sri Lanka from new destinations. (Sunimalee)