THE AIR FORCE is to begin low cost domestic flights to local destinations, Air Force spokesman Janaka Nanayakkara said yesterday (21).
“The rates will be cheaper than those charged by private domestic air flight providers,” Wing Commander Nanayakkara said adding that the Air Force had provided a limited number of seats to NGO’s at cheap rates for humanitarian visits during the conflict but now they were in a position to provide airplanes and helicopters for commercial use.
He said the Air Force was not a profit oriented organization and the earnings would be directed to the treasury.
Wing Comander Nanayakkara said the Air Force needs fewer helicopters for its operations and therefore could spare them for civilian use at a minimum cost depending on the destination.
Helicopters and small airplanes will operate from the Bandaranaike International Airport and the Ratmalana Air Force base, he added.
“We won’t fly to Kayts or other islands but only within the mainland. However we need security clearance to fly to sensitive areas in the Vanni,” the Wing Commander said.
(Courtesy: Daily Mirror)
