Airlines yesterday said discussions with relevant authorities over the forex issue were continuing whilst the industry had expanded capacity in tandem with tourism revival.

“There is no reduction or plans of cutting down on the frequencies of airlines operating into Colombo at present,” the Board of Airline Representatives (BAR) Chairman Dimuthu Tennakoon told the Daily FT. “In fact, the capacities have increased significantly over the past few months,” he added.

However, Tennakoon said that they had taken up a few issues with the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) in relation to the dollar rate.

“We have had few discussions with the authorities and raised our concerns with regard to the dollar rate. This is a matter which is still under discussion,” he added.

Tennakoon said the CAA had assured to take up the matter related to the exchange rate with the other authorities concerned.

Emirates, Qatar Airways, Fly Dubai, Air India, Gulf Air, Rossiya Airlines, Singapore Airlines, Turkish Airlines, Saudia, Air Arabia, Oman Airlines, Air Asia, Air France, Etihad Airways, Jazeera Airways, IndiGo, Aeroflot, China Eastern Airlines, Edelweiss Air, Kuwait Airways, Azur Airlines, Air Astana, Lot Polish Airlines, Neos Airlines and Vistara Airlines are currently operating into Colombo.

Pre-pandemic, 37 international airlines operated to Sri Lanka, and the Tourism Ministry is actively engaged in negotiations with all the airlines that operated into the country pre-COVID to encourage them to resume operations, whilst also engaging to attract new markets via charter flights during the winter season.

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