Call to expand Mihin Lanka export service

Shirajiv Sirimane

EXPORTS: Mihin Lanka, Sri Lanka’s budget airline could play a major role in cargo sector, said President, National Agri Business Council Sarath Silva.

He said all the fruits and vegetables are exported by air and the exporters are facing major problems due to high cargo charges. “This is specially evident in the Gulf sector and in the Maldives,” he said.

Silva said that already Mihin Lanka is flying to Dubai and exporters are making use of the airline. He said that they are appearing for the airline to consider making a stop over either in Bahrain or Oman. “Then he could help the exporters,” he said.

The airline has also purchased a new aircraft which is bigger than the present one. “We are also requesting the airline to consider shifting the two aircraft to increase cargo capacity to the gulf,” he said.

De Silva suggested the airline to have a stop over in the Maldives. “This can be done from the aircraft flying to Indian destinations,” he said. Mihin Lanka is expected to fly to Trivendrum and Trichi soon increasing its destinations to three.

One area they are retargeting is the Buddhist travels and small and medium sector businessmen. Indian tourism arrivals are in highest for the country and the airline would also bring in more tourists to the country.

These flights will operate daily and is expected to link to the Dubai flight giving access to Indian passengers as well.

There is a growing demand for Mihin Lanka seats from Dubai to Sri Lanka.

Many Indian workers based in UAE would like to fly to Colombo and then take the connecting flight to the Indian destinations. The government mainly to cater to the local migrant workers who are presently forced to spend heavily for their passage floated the airline.

The government wants to offer them a better deal and save money for the expatriate workers.

A Bulgarian staff is piloting the aircraft while 50 per cent of the cabin crew is also Bulgarians and the balance being Sri Lankans.