Category: Shipping and Transport

Dubai based Emirates Airlines said Monday, that it was adding five new services to Colombo in March, substantially increasing seat and cargo capacity to and from the Indian Ocean island.The new services routed Dubai-Colombo-Male-Dubai commence March 20 and will bring the total number of services operated by the airline to Colombo to 22 a week.rn […]

Privately owned helicopters could come to the rescue in medical and natural disasters and fly in to transport shipping crew between land and sea before long.Helicopters are due to make a comeback to Sri Lanka skies after initial groundings in 1995 and the new arrivals will not be limited to tourist transport.rn rnDeccan Aviation Lanka […]

The promoters of Indias first Mass Rapid Transport (MRT) system have offered to help the government to set up a similar system to help ease congestion in Colombo.Delhi Metro, Indias first MRT has submitted a feasibility study report to the government, which has been accepted in principle.rn rnOfficials from Delhi Metro Rail Corporation were quoted […]

Private bus owners are lobbying the government to remove VAT payments slapped on lease rentals of registered buses.Currently, around 17,500 private passenger buses are in operation and over 90 percent of them are bought on a lease.rn rnMost owners opt to re-lease their buses, to meet costs of refurbishment and spare parts. Funds are also […]

Top air cargo equipment maker Bridport Aviation, is using its Sri Lankan production base to tie-up new markets in Asia.Bridport already claims a third of the global market for cargo pallet nets, or 75,000 nets a year, with its old 30,000 square feet plant.rn rnIts 400 percent expansion in the Wathupitiwala Export Processing zone off […]

SriLankan Airlines air taxi service, called SriLankan Air Taxi, which took off in December 2003, has added two more destinations to its network. rnrnThe air taxi now flies to Anuradhapura and Hingurakgoda in the north central province in addition to its four other destinations.rn rnThe airlines amphibious eight-seater, Cessna Caravan seaplane takes off from Sri […]

Floatplane operations are back in the skies and with expanded coverage after the National Security Council clipped its wings for a short period.ldblquote The Security Council imposed a suspension on floatplane operations in early January but lifted the its objections two weeks ago, dblquote said a official from the Civil Aviation Authority. rn rnAs a […]

Consultancy firm KPMG Ford Rhodes have been picked as financial advisors to help privatise the Bandaranaike International Airport. The firm will advise the state on structuring the offer, preparing Expressions of Interest and bid documents that is likely to be issued in a month.rn rnThe winning bidder will take up a 35 percent stake in […]

The Bandaranaike International Airport re-opened on Thursday morning after temporary shutting down for nearly 10-hours, following a Russian cargo plane crash that damaged the airports only runway and taxi lights. The Civil Aviation Authority said in a statement that the damaged IL-18 cargo carrier has been towed away, with the runway and taxi lights fixed […]

The governments deadline to set up a port regulator is due in August 2004, with only a draft bill to govern the industry available so far.The regulator was due to police tariffs between the privet and state port operators when a pricing restriction on South Asia Gateway Terminal (SAGT) lapses in August.rn rnThe pricing control […]

SriLankan Airlines will link Hayderabad, the capital of the Southern Indian State of Andhra Pradesh, with Colombo as part of its twin destination holiday package in February.ldblquote The airline will promote Sri Lanka in Andhra Pradesh. Apart from promoting India as a tourist destination, SriLankan will also promote Hyderabad in particular around its route network, […]

The Sri Lanka Ports Authority (SLPA) has set sail a proposal that will allow it to operate ports in foreign shores.SLPA Chairman, Dr. Parakrama Dissanayake told Lanka Business Online on Monday that the Prime Minister had approved the proposal by its management.rn rnThe proposal seeks to expand its services to operate overseas ports as part […]