azaamDAsquad
12-22-2006, 01:00 PM
The Sri Lankan Cabinet has granted its approval for the establishment of a government-owned low cost airline aiming to provide affordable services to less affluent travelers and people leaving for overseas employment, particularly in the Middle East and Asian countries, and to promote regional tourism.
For the setting up of the new airline, named ‘Mihin Air’,:lol: :lol: Laughing Laughing the initial capital contribution is estimated at around Rs. 500 million, while the total project cost is estimated at Rs. 1.5 billion. Since the Foreign Employment Bureau, Employees Trust Fund and several other government agencies provide varieties of incentive schemes to support the local working population as well as those engaged in overseas employment, these agencies are also participating as shareholders in this venture.
The annual funds spent by these agencies together with various schemes that the government implements to promote exports could be channeled to the new airline and achieve the desired objectives in a cost effective manner, government sources said.
The Sri Lanka Air Force has suggested that the operation of a new airline service could provide opportunities for carrier professionals in the Sri Lanka Air Force to move on to civil aviation upon completion of their assignment in the service.
For the setting up of the new airline, named ‘Mihin Air’,:lol: :lol: Laughing Laughing the initial capital contribution is estimated at around Rs. 500 million, while the total project cost is estimated at Rs. 1.5 billion. Since the Foreign Employment Bureau, Employees Trust Fund and several other government agencies provide varieties of incentive schemes to support the local working population as well as those engaged in overseas employment, these agencies are also participating as shareholders in this venture.
The annual funds spent by these agencies together with various schemes that the government implements to promote exports could be channeled to the new airline and achieve the desired objectives in a cost effective manner, government sources said.
The Sri Lanka Air Force has suggested that the operation of a new airline service could provide opportunities for carrier professionals in the Sri Lanka Air Force to move on to civil aviation upon completion of their assignment in the service.