Sri Lanka’s first privately owned airline, FITS Air will operate direct flights from October 5 to Dubai and then Male will also launch international flights from Jaffna’s Palali International Airport soon. This would be to South Indian designations.
 CEO Peter Hill in Colombo. Picture by Shirajiv Sirimane
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The new airline, a brainchild of the former CEO Peter Hill of SriLankan will also launch direct scheduled international flights between Ratmalana and Male this year. Speaking at a press conference held in this regard in Colombo yesterday Peter Hill said they will also be launching domestic flights linking with regional resorts and hotels from December 2022. “For this we hope to acquire an ATR aircraft.”
However he ruled out any of their flights operating to Mattala airport stating that it’s not in their target market. Asked by ‘Daily News Business’ about refuelling issues in BIA he said they had purchased and stored additional fuel stock which would last until end of year.
“We have already acquired two A 320 aircraft on dry lease which have 156 economy and 8 Eco Plus (business) class seats on a wet lease.
The funds for this airline were raised from Abadeen Group and we are expecting ROI from the completion of the first year of operations. These aircraft could carry around 5 to 6 tons of cargo and FITS will introduce a special cargo aircraft from the end 2022. We will operate an almost ‘full service model’ offering 7 kg hand carry and 30 kg luggage and also serve snacks. “We currently offer the best fares,” he claimed. We expect other airlines flying our routes to reduce fares and we too will follow.”
Hill also said excluding him and an engineering staffer all their other 200 plus young staff including pilots would be from Sri Lanka. Asked why they decided to launch an airline at an economic turbulent time like this he said that there was always room for a second airline from Colombo.
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Long standing debt hindering SriLankan - Hill
There is nothing wrong with SriLankan Airlines, said former CEO of the Airline, Peter Hill.
“The only issues I can see hindering its process is the long standing debt,” he said. He also said that FITS Air would be closely working with them in the future. Commenting on the current high airfares he said they are there to stay for some time. “Fuel and high airport taxes also contribute to this.
“For example Colombo and Male airport have USD 60 tax each way and this is added to the ticket.”
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