Air Force flight service from Monday

Rafik JALALDEEN

The Air Force is to introduce a low cost domestic flight services from Ratmalana to Palali, Trincomalee and Sigiriya from Monday.

Addressing the media yesterday at the Air Force headquarters, Staff Officer Air Operation Wing Commander Dayal Wijeratne said Helitours was established in 1980. Following terror attacks in 1983, Helitours operating as a small commercial operation until the LTTE was eradicated.

On instructions of the Air Force Commander, Helitours is to be activated by adding more aircraft and helicopters to enhance the operation for the benefit of public.

He said a counter was established in the BIA on Tuesday. "It was established for introducing Helitours for foreign tourists.

They will be able to obtain all the details of domestic flight services there," he added.

Wing Commander Wijeratne noted that City Transit service will also be introduced. "If a foreigner wanted to fly to Colombo from the BIA or vice versa, Helitours will be able to provide city transit," he added.

The Air Force will deploy its existing fleet Bell-206 (six seater), Bell-212 (eight seater), Bell-412 (eight seater), MI-17 (20 seater) and Y12 (15 seater) for the domestic civilian air service.

He said another three AN-32 aircraft will be brought into the Air Force domestic flight service at the end of August and it will be equipped to carry 45 passengers at a time. Wing Commander Wijeratne observed that Y-12 aircraft introduced for the domestic flight services will fly at low cost from Ratmalana to Palali, Trincomalee and Sigiriya from Monday.

There will be flight services from Ratmalana to Palali every Monday, Wednesday and Friday. Departure from Ratmalana is at 8 a.m. and departure from Palali 4 p.m. The cost of two way travel is Rs. 9,100 and single journey Rs. 4,550.

A tourist domestic flight service from Ratmalana to Trincomalee will operate every Saturday and Sunday where the cost will be Rs. 6,650 for a two way trip and single journey Rs. 3,300. Departure from Ratmalana on Saturday is at 8 a.m. and departure from Trincomalee on Sunday 4 p.m.

Tourist domestic flight services from Ratmalana to Sigiriya will operate every Saturday with departure from Ratmalana at 8 a.m. and departure (same day) from Sigiriya at 5 p.m. The cost of air fare will be Rs. 9,000 for a two way trip and the single journey Rs. 4,500.

He said to obtain a ticket, the passengers can call the Air Force Unit located opposite the Trans Asia Hotel and advised passengers to be at the airport one and half hours before the departure.

Meanwhile, he said the foreigners who intend to fly to Jaffna should obtain permission from the Defence Ministry. A passenger will be allowed to carry luggage weighing 7 kg only.