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| Tuesday, 13 January 2004 |
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'Open Skies' policy The term 'Open Skies' is being heard more often, as airlines rush to add bigger aircraft and new destinations to their worldwide operations. Most countries have promulgated an 'open skies' policy to let foreign airlines fly in freely to their main airports, depending on the availability of landing and take-off slots. Sri Lanka has announced an open skies policy, but questions remain whether it is confined to words. India and Sri Lanka recently concluded a bilateral open skies policy and aviation circles hope for a wider open skies framework. Domestic aviation pioneer Chandran Rutnam, the Chairman of Lionair, told the Daily News in an interview that the lack of a clear aviation policy in Sri Lanka was a major stumbling block to the airline industry. Rutnam's main concern is that airline operators are unable to decide on a future of action vis-a-vis investments in more planes and manpower as there are no clear guidelines. Such a scenario does not augur well for the development of the local aviation industry, which is just starting to reap the dividends of the removal of the ban on domestic flights. What are the advantages of having an open skies policy ? More airlines will be able to fly in to Colombo, boosting the image of the destination. There is also the possibility of major airlines, which had earlier withdrawn services to Colombo, resuming their flights. It will also substantially increase the number of airline seats available to and from Colombo, allowing more tourists and businesspersons to visit Sri Lanka. Moreover, passengers will have a choice of airlines to choose from at timings convenient to them. Colombo will also enhance its status as the transport hub of South Asia. For example, the proposed entry of India's leading private airlines to Colombo has already enhanced Colombo's reputation as a transit hub. Fears have been expressed in some quarters that an open skies policy would sound the death knell for the national carrier. SriLankan Airlines has emerged almost unscathed from the tragic events of July 2001 and is now expanding its route network, flights and fleet. It can safely be assumed that even under an open skies framework, the national carrier will have priority in route allocations and slots. That said, competition will be good for the national carrier and for that matter, the three major domestic airlines who plan to venture overseas. The local airlines have flourished in the domestic aviation market. One of them has started flying to Trincomalee, while the others are planning to start services to key cities soon. At least a couple of domestic airports should be upgraded to handle international flights, so that foreign airlines can be encouraged to operate direct services to those locations. The renovation of the Bandaranaike International Airport should be expedited in tandem with moves to open up the skies. Aviation authorities must ensure that the main airport gets all facilities for servicing huge planes like the Airbus A380, which will take off in 2006. An open skies policy could also augment another booming sector of the aviation industry - low-cost airlines. These no-frills airlines (single-class seating, minimal paperwork complemented by online booking, food and drinks served onboard for a modest fee) offer passengers hassle-free flights at relatively low prices. The practice pioneered by Ryanair and Easyjet has now spread around the world. The Middle-East's first no-frills airline Air Arabia is now touching down in Colombo. Perhaps, a Sri Lankan airline can take a similar initiative for the benefit of South Asian passengers. |
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