More flights to Pakistan discussed

Air services negotiations between Sri Lanka and Pakistan were held on March 8 in Colombo with a view to liberalise the air services regime between the two countries. The Pakistan delegation led by Joint Secretary (Aviation) Ministry of Defence, Chaudhary Qamar Zaman while the Sri Lankan delegation was led by Ariyaratne Hewage, Secretary, Ministry of Ports and Aviation. It was decided that full liberalisation of air services arrangements needs to be discussed.

Pakistan offered Lahore as an additional point for the designated airline of Sri Lanka with two frequencies per week.

The Pakistan 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.

Currently SriLankan Airlines operates three weekly flights from Colombo to Karachi while Pakistan International Airlines operates two weekly flights from Karachi 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 added importance.

The additional flights would facilitate businessmen and traders from both the countries to fully utilise the opportunities provided by FTA besides contributing towards the promotion of tourism and cultural links, the Pakistan High Commission said in a press release.