Sri Lanka's three privately owned domestic airlines are seeking permission from the country's civil aviation authority to operate international passenger charter flights, mainly to Indian destinations.
Expo Aviation, LionAir and Serendib Express operate services weekly between Colombo and Jaffna in northern Sri Lanka, and the move comes after the lifting of restrictions following the ceasefire between Tamil rebels and the government.
SriLankan Airlines, which is majority state-owned, with Emirates holding 43%, is the only carrier allowed to operate internationally. HMC Nimalsiri, director general of the authority, says it has had "informal discussions" with the national carrier on allowing other airlines to compete, and says "there has not been any major objection [from SriLankan Airlines]".
LionAir wants to fly to Amsterdam, Athens, Melbourne, Puttarpathy in India and Sharjah, UAE. Serendib Express has asked to operate charter flights to Puttarpathy, while Expo Aviation wants permission for charter flights to Indian destinations.
Many Sri Lankans visit India on pilgrimage, and scheduled flights are usually full of passengers paying a premium for seats.
Source: Flight International
