India, Lanka ink deal for more flights

Friday, 27 May 2011 01:18 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on Bilateral Air Services between the Governments of Sri Lanka and India was signed in New Delhi yesterday.

High Commissioner Prasad Kariyawasam and Shri Naseem Zaidi, Secretary, Ministry of Civil Aviation of India signed the MoU on behalf of the respective Governments, according to a statement released by the External Affairs Ministry.

This MoU is the outcome of discussions between Sri Lankan and Indian civil aviation authorities in April 2011 and, in line with modern developments in aviation industry and rapid increase in air travel in the region, contains revisions to the original Bilateral Air Services Agreement that was signed between the two countries on 21 December 1948.

At present SriLankan Airlines operates 98 weekly flights to various destinations in India and Sri Lanka’s budget carrier Mihin Lanka operates seasonal flights to Varanasi and Gaya for the benefit of Sri Lankan pilgrims visiting Buddhist sites in India. A number of Indian carriers also operate to Sri Lanka from various destinations in India.

With the signing of this MoU, both Sri Lankan and Indian carriers would be able to operate more flights between Indian destinations and Colombo, enhancing connectivity between the two countries.