Air Taxi making travelling more easy

Demi HEWAMANNA

SriLankan Airlines re-launched its domestic floatplane service SriLankan Air Taxi last year and already it’s flying frequently all over the island giving people a chance to see Sri Lanka like never before and making travelling a little easier as well. Zest got together with Sri Lankan Airlines Manager Product Development Sanjeeva Jayatileke to know more about the air service and how it’s doing so far.

Q: What is Sri Lanka Air taxi?

A: A unique domestic aviation service to promote tourism within the country where the aircraft can be operated to water bodies located closer to tourist attractions and hotels.

Q: What is the Twin Otter?

A: A De Havilland DHC6 – 300 twin engine aircraft with ability to operate on water

Q: How does the Air taxi operate?

A: Floats are fixed instead of wheels and operated from water bodies to water bodies (Lakes, Lagoons and Rivers).

Q: How many staff is there in the taxi to assist its passengers?

A: There are two pilots for the aircraft and at each landing site there is a minimum of one base coordinator and a security officer to help passengers.

Q: What is the daily routine of the flights?

A: We have daily scheduled flights to Bentota, Koggala, Dickwella, Kandy (Polgolla), and Nuwara Eliya.

We also undertake charter flights if required to our other destinations. We also have scenic flights on weekends.

Q: What has the customer feedback being?

A: Customer feedback has been very positive since they have an opportunity to get to their locations faster than travelling by road.

Q: Do lots of honeymooners use this?

A: We have had some bookings by honeymoon couples and I think we can say that we may have a trend being set by them.

Q: What are the future plans for the Air Taxi?

A: Plans would be to introduce more destinations in the country in order to give our passenger a seamless travel experience from an international destination to their holiday location within Sri Lanka.