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From Shirajiv Sirimane in Jaffna

The newly formed Serendib Aviation Company Ltd will invest a further Rs. 180 million to develop their prime business, domestic aviation.

Director Marketing and Aviation, Serendib Aviation Company Ltd., Dharshana Gunaratne said that his company would hire an additional flight this year to meet the demand of air traffic to the proposed new destinations in Trincomalee and Wirawila. Speaking to the media after their inaugural flight 'Serendib Express' to Jaffna at the Palali airport on Thursday he said that Sri Lankans have now realised that aviation is an easy and essential mode of transport. "We must admit that the idea to launch a flight to Jaffna came about after the peace process. There are mixed reactions to the opening of the A 9 road to Jaffna. Going to Jaffna by road is cheaper. But when one compares the time nearly ten hours is wasted for the journey as against our 45-minute flying time."

The Director said that the industry is picking up and over 50 aviation companies both local and foreign have applied for domestic aviation licences.

"At present only one airline operates to Jaffna while 'Serendib Express' operates ten flights a week on six days."

Gunaratne said that their aircraft, an Antonov plane is being hired from the Vista Aviation Company in Dubai and is piloted by Russians. "We have also employed ex SriLankan Airlines staff for the cabin crew and hope to introduce local pilots next year."

Cargo business

He said that another venture they would be undertaking this year would be the hiring of a Cargo planes. "Our main aim is to fly to India next year."

The Director said that all passengers on their flights are insured and they are the only airline which offers the services of a special bus from the Palaly airport to the Jaffna city which takes around one-and-a-half hours due to two road blocks.

Many passengers on board the 'Serendib Express' said that at least one check point should be reduced to simplify matters.

"We understand the security problem, but passengers' convenience must be looked into", one passenger said.

A merchant on the flight said that most flights to Jaffna are 85% full and the main market for them are relatives of Jaffna residents who are visiting them with the dawn of peace. "They do not have two or three days to waste on the A 9 highway and take the shorter route," he said.

Many others said that the Palaly airport has to be made a more passenger friendly airport. "There are only GI sheets covering waiting areas and we suggest that there should be some permanent structures put up there."

Gunaratne said that among the major plans for next year would be the setting up of a complete Aviation school in Sri Lanka. "There is a growing demand for the industry from locals and Sri Lanka needs internationally recognised training institutions locally."

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