AIR service negotiations between Sri Lanka and Pakistan were held on March 8 in Colombo to liberalise the Air Services regime between the two countries.

The Pakistan delegation was led by Chaudhary Qamar Zaman, Joint Secretary (Aviation), Ministry of Defence while the Sri Lankan delegation was led by Ariyaratne Hewage, Secretary, Ministry of Ports and Aviation, states a Pakistan High Commission press release.

It was decided that full liberalisation of Air Services arrangement needs to be discussed. Pakistan offered Lahore as an additional point for the designated Airline of Sri Lanka with two frequencies per week.

The Pakistani delegation also agreed to consider the request made by the Sri Lankan delegation to increase the frequencies and to add Islamabad as an additional point in the future.

SriLankan Airlines currently operates three weekly flights from Colombo to Karachchi, while Pakistan International Airlines operates two weekly flights from Karachchi to Colombo.

In the backdrop of the signing of the Free Trade Agreement between Pakistan and Sri Lanka and in anticipation of increased interaction between the business communities of the two countries, the talks for liberalisation of air services attained an added importance.

The additional flights would facilitate businessmen and traders from both countries to fully utilise the opportunities provided by the FTA besides contributing towards the promotion of tourism and cultural links.