Sri Lanka’s Cinnamon Air resumes charter flight operations from April
Sri Lanka’s premier domestic airline, Cinnamon Air, is to reportedly resume domestic charter flight operations from April after a long halt brought about by the global Covid 19 pandemic.
The airline has reportedly stated that it is committed to providing the highest level of safety, so passengers can enjoy a secure flying experience, with strict adherence to all health and guidelines of the relevant authorities.
According to reports, operating from the Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA), Ratmalana International Airport and Waters Edge (Colombo City), passengers will be able to book flights to/from Trincomalee, Batticaloa (serving Pasikuda), Hambantota (serving Yala), Dickwella/Tangalle, Koggala, Kandy, Castlereagh, Sigiriya, Jaffna, Ampara (serving Arugambay), Anuradhapura and Bentota, starting from US$ 900.
Cinnamon Air CEO Sean Dwight has been quoted as saying, “Cinnamon Air is delighted to resume our charter flight operations in a completely smooth and seamless manner and by following all safety guidelines and protocols of the Ministry of Health and other relevant authorities in the country. I would like to thank all stakeholders for their understanding and support thus far.”
“We are geared to provide passengers with options to travel across the country conveniently, flying to the end destination in the shortest period of time, thereby limiting exposure to health risk,” he has noted.
Dwight has further been quoted as saying that the Covid-19 vaccinations are being rolled out in the country with priority given to all front-line staff, including pilots, ground/ramp handling, and security personnel, which further strengthens the safety precautions.
International passengers have the added benefit of connecting directly from the BIA to the airline’s flights, which will take off from their Domestic Terminal within the precincts of BIA, ensuring that passengers have minimum exposure to multiple environments, thus offering further safety.
Cinnamon Air has implemented best-in-class cleaning procedures on all its aircraft in addition to disinfecting customer touch points and surfaces before every flight.
Additionally, a thorough screening process is to also be carried out prior to boarding and a passenger information dashboard will be maintained for international arrivals/domestic joining passengers-related to health and safety.
All Cinnamon Air scheduled flights operate in code share with SriLankan Airlines, consequent to which they are also available for sale throughout the SriLankan Airlines network and all travel agents around the world via Global Distribution Systems, under a ‘UL’ designated flight number.
Cinnamon Air, which is owned and operated by Saffron Aviation Ltd., is a joint venture between Sri Lanka’s largest listed conglomerate, John Keells Holdings, MMBL Leisure Holdings (a part of the Mercantile Merchant Bank Group) and Phoenix Ventures (parent of the Brandix Group, Sri Lanka’s largest garment manufacturer).
The airline operates a fleet of two Cessna 208 amphibian aircraft and one Cessna 208B Grand Caravan aircraft, with scheduled services to key inland points in Sri Lanka.
OSL take:
The resumption of charter flights by Cinnamon Air is indicative of Sri Lanka’s economic revival following the global Covid 19 pandemic lockdown. Sri Lanka in January reopened its borders following the lockdown and the country’s tourism industry is on the path to return to normalcy. The island’s tourism industry was one of the fastest growing economic sectors in the country when the global Covid 19 pandemic restricted worldwide travel. However, the resumption of economic activities post Covid has opened up many business opportunities in Sri Lanka, especially in the tourism sector. Foreign businesses/investors could therefore explore opportunities in Sri Lanka.
| Article Code : | VBS/AT/20210406/Z_3 |