AVIATION

Concessional air tickets for persons with disabilities?

A resolution presented by the ESCO Rehab Sri Lanka Secretary General Vijaya Kurukulanatha at the “SAMBHAV 2011” in New Delhi, where 15 countries participated, to request the “United Nations” to declare that: “Grant concessional air tickets for challenged persons when they represent their country at any international event” was highly appreciated by the representatives of the participating countries.

Professor N.K. Chaddha of Delhi University, who presided at the forum, said this resolution is very important and would facilitate the mobility of the challenged persons and will focus on the integration into mainstream of the civil society. Further he said that the USA has already implemented such a concessional system domestically under the AAPR system for senior citizens.

During this festival ESCO very Special paintings were exhibited at the Indian Cultural Centre where the Art exhibition was held. “SUPUN Dancing Academy” based in Rawathawatte, Moratuwa performed challenged students dancing item at this festival along with other participating countries.

On this occasion an M.O.U. was signed by ESCO REHAB SRILANKA & A.L.P.A.N.A. Society of New Delhi, to exchange wide experiences gained by them, to encourage joint performances of each other in their respective countries and to initiate several mutual integrated programmes. The Ambassador R.M. Agarwal presided at this function.

Accordingly ESCO has decided to invite a team from A.L.P.A.N.A. to perform at its Very Special Peace Arts Festival scheduled to be held on 11th & 12th February 2012 at ESCO Headquarters in Egodauyana, Moratuwa, where like in the previous year, challenged persons from the Northern and Eastern provinces are participating along with participants from other parts of the country.

SriLankan flies Touche Golf League finalists to Kandy

Veteran golfers from all parts of India converged on Sri Lanka’s celebrated Victoria Golf Course in Digana, Kandy, to work off the finals of the Touche Golf League (TGL) last week

Sri Lankan Airlines joins this prestigious event and will fly in the winning teams from India, which includes top celebrities as Kapil Dev (former Indian Cricket Captain) , Nikhil Chopra (former Indian Cricketer), Ateet Gaur (Managing Director Asia-Pac of TaylorMade) and several others.

An event of nature will showcase Sri Lanka as a great golfing destination among the large number of Indian golfers who will undoubtedly enjoy their game at the Victoria Golf Course in Digana, Kandy. Sri Lankan Airlines has at all times showcased this country not only as a sun, sand and beach destination but also as a multi-attraction destination which caters to all tastes across all ages. This also includes Sri Lanka as a vibrant sports destination. The SriLankan Airlines Golf Classic, the SriLankan Airlines Pro Surf, the Carlton Sevens etc are just some of the few sporting events which attract a large number of foreign participants to this country.

Were confident that the Touche Golf League 2011 will open yet another market to Sri Lanka’s sports tourism and thereby firmly place Sri Lanka in the top niches of the region sports map, said Chief marketing Officer, G. T, Jeyaseelan. The national carriers domestic aviation arm, the air taxi service also operates scheduled flights to the Victoria Golf Course, landing on the Victoria Reservoir.

Indian Aviation Ministry proposes foreign airline FDI in local carriers

The Indian Aviation Ministry has proposed allowing foreign airlines to invest under 26 percent in Indian carriers and the final decision will be made by the cabinet, Civil Aviation Minister Vayalar Ravi told news channel CNBC TV18.

India allows up to 49 percent foreign investment in Indian carriers but bars foreign carriers from owning stake.

With most carriers suffering losses due to high costs and debt in a crowded and competitive aviation market, the government is now mulling a change in regulation.

“FDI (foreign direct investment) is acceptable till a limited point. That limited point is still under debate,” Ravi said in the televised interview. “The proposal of my Ministry is less than 26 percent,” he said, adding the final decision will be taken by the cabinet. He did not give a timeline.

The Industrial Policy and Promotion Department and the Civil Aviation Ministry differ on the quantum of stake that foreign airlines be allowed to pick up, government sources told Reuters in October.

While the Industry Ministry wants foreign airlines to be allowed to take 26 percent stake, the Civil Aviation Ministry wants it capped at 24 percent, the sources said.

Most Indian carriers, with the exception of IndiGo are loss-making and full service carriers such as Air India, Jet Airways and Kingfisher Airlines, have high debt on their books.

Times of India

SIA in alliance with Virgin Australia

Singapore Airlines welcomed the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission’s (ACCC) approval of its proposed alliance with Virgin Australia.

The ACCC’s determination represents the final regulatory approval needed for SIA and Virgin Australia to proceed with their wide-ranging alliance.

Customers will be able to earn and redeem frequent-flyer miles on SIA and Virgin Australia flights by the end of the year and codesharing is expected to commence early next year.

Under the alliance, SIA and Virgin Australia will codeshare on each other’s international and domestic flights, offer reciprocal frequent-flyer programme benefits and lounge access, co-ordinate schedules between Singapore and Australia and beyond to provide seamless connections, and engage in joint sales, marketing and distribution activities.

Draft approval was awarded by the ACCC on 13 October. On 20 October the Competition Commission of Singapore announced its approval of the alliance.