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| Friday, 17 September 2004 |
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Japan to provide three more frequencies to Lanka from Shirajiv Sirimane in Japan The Japanese Aviation authorities have decided to provide three additional frequencies to Sri Lanka. According to Sri Lanka's Ambassador in Japan Tilak Amunugama, he has already negotiated in this regard with the Japanese Minister of Civil Transport as the airports come under his purview. He said more tourists and businessmen want to visit Sri Lanka but have postponed their plans due to lack of seats during some months. "They like to travel in groups and sometimes they do not have a direct flight," he said. He said their number one international airport Narita is now nearing capacity and there is an expansion program under way which would include additional airstrips. "However, this would take time," he said. The Japanese authorities have therefore agreed to provide flying rights for three additional frequencies to Kansai airport which is in close proximity to Osaka, the industrial city of Japan. When the Narita expansion program is completed the three additional frequencies could be accommodated there. "It is now up to the local airline authorities to make use of this offer," he said. Japanese arrivals last year were around 17,000 and with the additional airlines coming into operation it would increase to around 24,000, he said. He said that the visit of Sri Lanka's Foreign Minister Lakshman Kadirgamar has opened a new door of opportunity in the Cultural and Intellectual tourism sector. The Minister wants to promote more exchanges in these areas and additional airline traffic would also promote it. On an initiative by the Minister Japan would host a major cultural exhibition soon. In addition there are many regular exhibitions and fairs hosted in Japan. "Additional flights will help to bring in more Sri Lankans to Japan," he said. The approval for three additional frequencies should also be a good opportunity for the national carrier and other three private sector airline operators as well. |
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