(News Release – 9 July 2013)
Cinnamon Air, a joint venture involving MMBL Leisure Holdings (Pvt) Limited, John Keells Holdings (JKH) and Phoenix Ventures Limited, would take wing from March 15. Saffron Aviation (Pvt) Ltd., will manage Cinnamon Air. The management has invested nearly Rs. one billion and would initially operate with two eight seater amphibious aircraft.
CEO, Cinnamon Air, Shawn Dwight, said that they were also looking at acquiring another 12 seater aircraft in the future. The aircraft were expected to arrive during the first week of February.
He said that they would also offer an online booking facility which would enable any person locally or internationally to book. “We are hoping to open the web for bookings soon,” he added.
The airline would be Sri Lanka’s first scheduled domestic airline operation, taking off from the Colombo International Airport. The initial destination that would be covered by Cinnamon Air would be Koggala, Batticaloa, Trincomalee, Sigiriya, Dickwella, Kandy (Polgolla Reservoir) and Weerawila. “We would also operate to the new Hambantota airport in Mattala when it opens.”
“As best as possible, our flight times to and from the international airport have been connected to departure and arrival times of the National Carrier, SriLankan Airlines and all other major international airline services.”
Apart from their scheduled services, Cinnamon Air also offers charter flights. “This was an ideal option for those looking to make group bookings, arrange private corporate travel or organize special VIP transport.”
The operation would also provide over 50 employment opportunities and the starting fare was expected be around US $ 150. Sri Lanka currently has schedule domestic airline operations to Jaffna and Trincomalee, operated by Heli Tours and Expo Aviations. In addition charterer operations were being carried out by Zenok Air, Air Deccan, Daya Aviation and Cosmo Aviation. In addition, several new airline companies have applied for licenses from the Ministry of Civil Aviation to operate domestic flights.
The Government has also invested in refurbishing domestic airports and a new domestic air strip has also been proposed for Nuwara Eliya.
Source : https://www.ft.lk/travel-tourism/cinnamon-air-takes-wing/27-161925
