Sri Lanka, Japan enhance air services cooperation

Ministry of Aviation Secretary Dewagirige Swarnapala and Ambassador of Japan Nobuhito Hobo

The Governments of Japan and Sri Lanka have agreed to amend the schedule attached to the agreement between the two countries for air services. 

The Exchange of Notes to this effect was signed between Ambassador of Japan Nobuhito Hobo and Ministry of Aviation Secretary Dewagirige Swarnapala at the Ministry of Aviation.

With this amendment, civil aviation regulations will be liberalised in principle and flight routes can be operated by designated airlines of Japan and Sri Lanka at the specified locations in Japan, Sri Lanka, intermediate points and points beyond. 

In 2013, Japan and Sri Lanka also added Narita International Airport, Tokyo to the Open Skies Agreement, allowing both countries to operate unlimited service between Narita, Tokyo and Sri Lanka. Sri Lanka is the 15th country with which Japan has agreed to add Narita to such an accord.

This amendment is expected to open up an opportunity for operating new flights, thereby creating more avenues in strengthening links between Japan and Sri Lanka.