Background
Efficient International Air Services are vital to any country, especially for an Island like Sri Lanka, which depends on Sea and Air for transportation of people and freight. Sri Lanka’s major foreign exchange earners (migrant remittance, garment industry, tourism) depend mostly on air services. By providing links with the rest of the world, air transport not only facilitates business and leisure travel, but also trade, investment and technology transfer. Accordingly the Ministry should seek to conclude with other countries liberal and flexible air services arrangements wherever possible, providing more access to international destinations by Sri Lankan carriers and allowing International carriers also to access to Sri Lanka.
The Ministry supports the maintenance of a fully fledged domestic aviation industry that would deliver economic benefits to the country. All existing domestic aerodromes will be maintained to promote domestic aviation and utilize the existing infrastructure facilities already available at some of the domestic airports for immediate commencement of domestic air operations. Infrastructure facilities will be developed at identified domestic airports under a short term and a long term development plan. Construction of Second International Airport in Southern Province and Phase II Stage 2 development at Bandaranaike International Airport are identified mega development activities in the aviation sector in order to facilitate the forecasted demand of International passenger and cargo.
The Ministry recognizes the need for the development and facilitation of general aviation, private operations and recreational aviation, including aero sports whilst maintaining the required safety standards and security requirements. The Ministry promotes the creation of a sound “safety culture” amongst aviation entrepreneurs and insist on implementation of appropriate safety management systems (SMS) in the respective areas they engage in, confirming to the state safety programme.
Efficient International Air Services are vital to any country, especially for an Island like Sri Lanka, which depends on Sea and Air for transportation of people and freight. Sri Lanka’s major foreign exchange earners (migrant remittance, garment industry, tourism) depend mostly on air services. By providing links with the rest of the world, air transport not only facilitates business and leisure travel, but also trade, investment and technology transfer. Accordingly the Ministry should seek to conclude with other countries liberal and flexible air services arrangements wherever possible, providing more access to international destinations by Sri Lankan carriers and allowing International carriers also to access to Sri Lanka.
The Ministry supports the maintenance of a fully fledged domestic aviation industry that would deliver economic benefits to the country. All existing domestic aerodromes will be maintained to promote domestic aviation and utilize the existing infrastructure facilities already available at some of the domestic airports for immediate commencement of domestic air operations. Infrastructure facilities will be developed at identified domestic airports under a short term and a long term development plan. Construction of Second International Airport in Southern Province and Phase II Stage 2 development at Bandaranaike International Airport are identified mega development activities in the aviation sector in order to facilitate the forecasted demand of International passenger and cargo.
The Ministry recognizes the need for the development and facilitation of general aviation, private operations and recreational aviation, including aero sports whilst maintaining the required safety standards and security requirements. The Ministry promotes the creation of a sound “safety culture” amongst aviation entrepreneurs and insist on implementation of appropriate safety management systems (SMS) in the respective areas they engage in, confirming to the state safety programme.