SriLankan Air Taxi launches daily flights to central hills

May 26, 2011 (LBO) - SriLankan Airlines has begun daily flights to Kandy in the central hills, using float planes to cut a three-hour road journey to 30 minutes for 4,900 rupees one-way and 9,800 rupees return. Flights from Colombo which now operate from the Kelani River to the city's north are to be shifted to the Beira Lake in the central business district soon, an airline statement said.

Flights leave Colombo at 9 a.m. and touch down at Polgolla, a reservoir, at 9.30 a.m. The return flight leaves Kandy at 10 a.m. and touches down in Colombo at 10.30 a.m.

SriLankan Air Taxi, a subsidiary of the national carrier, operates two De Havilland Twin Otter aircraft which each have seating for over 15 passengers.

Air Taxi now operates to nearly a dozen water-dromes around the country using lakes, rivers and lagoons.

The floatplanes are also available for charters.