Colombo landing clearance for helicopters
Following the relaxation on stringent security restrictions on civil
flights over the capital city domestic airline and helicopter operator
Deccan Aviation announced the establishment of the first privately run
city helipad at the Colts Cricket Grounds in Havelock Road, The
government has recently given approval for private helicopter operators
to conduct flights into the city of Colombo. With tight security imposed
on the capital city during the war, helicopter flights into Colombo was
strictly limited to those operated by the Sri Lanka Air Force. The
recent relaxation of the rules is seen as an effort to ensure a level
playing field between the commercial arm of the SLAF and other
helicopter operators.
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Air Deccan
flight landing in Colots Club |
The Civil Aviation Authority in consultation with the Ministry of
Defense has earmarked eight locations around the city that may be
suitable to establish helipads.
“The opening of Colombo city to private helicopters is excellent
news. We have been in the forefront of the industry from its earliest
days and have lobbied intensely for this to happen. Over the past few
months we have conducted extensive research and have selected the Colts
Grounds as our preferred city helipad. We thank the Colts Club and their
membership for entering into a mutually beneficial agreement with us for
the use of their excellent facilities. Innovation is what we do best,
and we are happy that we can now offer our valued guests a departure or
arrival right into the heart of the great city of Colombo”, said the
company in a brief statement.
“This is exactly what our clients have been asking for”, said Suren
Mirchandani, industry pioneer and Deccan Vice Chairman. “While we have
developed over 300 helipads throughout the island, this was the one we
are most excited about. Our thanks should go out to those in authority
who made this decision”
Under previous regulations, private helicopters could not operate to
within 10 miles of the city centre, with passengers having to depart
from the Ratmalana airport.
On the sidelines of the signing of the MoU for the city helipad,
Deccan’s Suren Mirchandani also elaborated on expansion plans of the
airline - “we can confirm that we are adding an amphibian aircraft to
our fleet within a few months, making us the only operator in the
country to offer all 3 air options, helicopter, aircraft and amphibians
with an unprecedented reach throughout the island.”
Established in 2004, Deccan Aviation Lanka is the market leader and
the only domestic airline operating both helicopters and aircraft to all
part of the country. They are the preferred air transport provider for
the country’s top hotels, the largest tour operators and best-known
corporations.
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