A new aviation policy plans to open skies to fifth Freedom Traffic to make the country an aviation hub.
The policy will be effective from 2005 when 3rd and 4th Freedom Air Traffic to the country will also be proactively promoted.rn
rnAviation Minister Tilak Marapana said that they would encourage airlines to exploit this opportunity and would seek reciprocal traffic rights in those countries.rn
rnFifth Freedom allows airlines coming to the country to uplift the traffic from here to any other destination.rn
rnThis in effect will help establish the country as an aviation hub.rn
rnldblquote We will actively encourage airlines to operate into Sri Lanka freely- meaning unrestricted 3rd, 4th and 5th Freedom rights. We will also negotiate similar rights for our carriers as well,
dblquote Tilak Marapana, Minister of Aviation told a media conference recently.
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rnThe Indian authorities are also ready to give the green light to a new air deal between the two countries.rn
rnAviation Ministry official