He says that after the December resurrection, Mihin Lanka would be flying to the Middle Eastern destination of Dubai and South Indian cities of Trichy and Trivandrum.

These are the most heavily used routes by Sri Lankan migrant workers and those who go on pilgrimage or business travel.

“Other potential destinations are under high consideration,” says Edirisuriya.

Mihin’s flights were grounded earlier this year due to the airline's inability to pay debts that had mounted up to 15 million dollars.

The airline which began operations with a budget of 500 million rupees in March 2007 was funded mainly through over 2 billion rupees of loans from state banks and a budget allocation of 250 million rupees.

Reports said 3 billion rupees had been requested from the government next year to revive the airline.

Despite the budget carrier being a rookie in the airline business, the optimistic new head of Mihin Lanka says he’s looking for opportunities other than passenger and cargo transportation that would generate cash flows for the broke state owned airline.

“Do airlines indulge in other ancillary businesses?” he asked.

“Then should we not look at the aircraft maintenance providers' business, operating flying schools, duty free services, ground handling, in-flight catering, aircraft leasing, aggressive charter services, domestic air travel and other connected business?"

He says even though there are no immediate plans for merging Mihin Lanka with the island's national airline, Sri Lankan Airlines, some synergies already exists with the government aiming to harmonize their operations.