Water's Edge Aerodrome, Cinnamon Air launched

Chaminda Perera

The launch of the Water's Edge Aerodrome and the Cinnamon Air took place at the Water's Edge Hotel in Battaramulla under the patronage of Defence and Urban Development Ministry Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapaksa.

Cinnamon Air is a joint venture of John Keells and MDL Leisure Holding and the MMBL Leisure Holding and Phoenix Ventures. The Cinnamon Air provides amphibious aircraft on scheduled and charter passenger service directly and code share with SriLankan Airlines. According to Cinnamon Air Chairman Ajith Gunawardena, the airline will initially operate two amphibious aircraft from the Bandaranaike International Airport to Koggala, Dickwella and back. Flights will originate from Cinnamon Air's dedicated domestic passenger air terminal within the precincts of the BIA.

The daily flights to Koggala and Dickwella will serve key south coast tourist destinations such as Galle, Koggala, Weligama, Dickwella and Tangalle.

He said frequencies will be increased during the coming tourism season. Gunawardena said the Cinnamon Air has entered into agreement with the SriLanka airline where by all Cinnamon air will fly under UL number. Gunawardena said that the Cinnamon Air received tremendous support from the Defence Ministry, Airforce and the Civil Aviation Authority to make the project a success. SriLankan Airlines Chairman Nishantha Wickremesinghe expressed unwavering support for the success of Air Taxi service launched by the Cinnamon Air. He said the government is utilizing the abandoned water ways for transportation. "Sri Lanka has a fairly large number of waterways that can be utiliesd for amphibious aircraft.

He said this is a service that has much potential and growth. Air Taxi is not only a mode of air travel but it adds great value to Sri Lankan travelers especially the high end tourism market. "We are happy to promote and service both locally and internally and to take advantage of our code share agreement with Cinnamon Air".

John Keells Chairman Susantha Ratnayake presented a token of appreciation to Defence and Urban Development Ministry Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapaksa.

Cinnamon Air will offer charter services to individuals and groups to all airports and approved water aerodromes in the country. These

will include locations such as Nuwaraeliya, Arugambay, Mattala, Tissamaharama, Jaffna, Anuradhaura, Vavuniya, Victoria and Bentota

Civil Aviation Authority Chairman and Former Army Commander Rohan Daluwatta, Army Commander Gen. Jagath Jayasuriya, Chief of Staff Major General Daya Ratnayake and Urban Development Authority Chairman Nimal Perera were present at the launching ceremony.