UAE-Sri Lanka aeronautical authorities meet to expand aviation relations

The aeronautical authorities of Sri Lanka and United Arab Emirates (UAE) met recently to enhance the bilateral air services relationship between the two countries. 

The primary objective of these discussions was to update the existing air service arrangements between the two nations, aligning it with the evolving trends in the global aviation arena. This update aims to enhance and optimise air transport operations between the UAE and Sri Lanka.

The UAE delegation consisted of 23 officials and was headed by Civil Aviation Authority of the UAE Director General Saif Mohammed Al Suwaidi. It also included the UAE Ambassador to Sri Lanka Khaled Nasser Al Ameri and officials from the Civil Aviation Authorities of Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Sharjah, Ras Al Khaimah and Fujairah. The Airlines represented from the UAE were Etihad, Fly Dubai, Emirates, and Air Arabia.

The Sri Lanka team was led by Ports, Shipping, and Aviation Ministry Secretary K.D.S. Ruwanchandra. The Sri Lankan team also comprised of Civil Aviation Authority of Sri Lanka Director General and Chief Executive Officer P.A. Jayakantha and Acting Deputy Director General Rayhan Wanniappa. In addition, representatives from the Foreign Affairs Ministry and the Attorney General’s Department participated. The airline members were SriLankan Airlines and Fits Air.

Air Services arrangements hold significant importance in a country’s foreign policy and play a crucial role in fostering the growth of Sri Lanka’s aviation industry immensely benefitting the national economy. This expansion of the Air Services Arrangement between UAE and Sri Lanka will augur well for Sri Lanka’s Aviation industry in the years to come. 

In a significant step towards strengthening their bilateral air services relationship, the aeronautical authorities of Sri Lanka and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) recently convened to update and optimise existing air transport operations between the two nations. 

The meeting took place in Sri Lanka, aimed to align the air service arrangements with the evolving trends in the global aviation landscape. The UAE delegation, led by Civil Aviation Authority of the UAE Director General Saif Mohammed Al Suwaidi comprised 23 officials. This delegation also included UAE Ambassador to Sri Lanka Khaled Nasser Al Ameri and representatives from the Civil Aviation Authorities of Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Sharjah, Ras Al Khaimah, and Fujairah. Among the airlines represented were Etihad, Fly Dubai, Emirates, and Air Arabia. 

On the Sri Lankan side, Ports, Shipping, and Aviation Ministry Secretary K.D.S. Ruwanchandra led the team along with Civil Aviation Authority of Sri Lanka Director General and Chief Executive Officer P.A. Jayakantha and Acting Deputy Director General Rayhan Wanniappa. Additionally, representatives from the Foreign Affairs Ministry and the Attorney General’s Department were part of the Sri Lankan delegation. SriLankan Airlines and Fits Air were the airlines represented. 

Air services arrangements hold paramount importance in a nation’s foreign policy, and they play a crucial role in fostering the growth of Sri Lanka’s aviation industry, which in turn, substantially benefits the national economy. The expansion of the air services arrangement between the UAE and Sri Lanka is anticipated to have a positive impact on Sri Lanka’s aviation sector in the years to come.