Deccan Aviation (Lanka) and Pakistan's JS Group sign up for “fixed wing“ venture

28 March 2007

Colombo: In a ground breaking agreement, Indian LCC, and helicopter operator, Deccan Aviation (Lanka) and the JS Group of Pakistan have announced their intention to enter into a commercial partnership in the Sri Lanka aviation industry. Through the agreement, JS Air and Deccan Aviation will begin operating a state-of-the-art Raytheon Beechcraft fixed wing aircraft for domestic services in Sri Lanka shortly.

The two sides also said that eventually the aircraft would be offered to corporate clients for travel to India and regional destinations.

Company officials, in the presence of the chairman of JS Air, Munawar Siddiqui and Pakistani High Commissioner to Sri Lanka, Shahzad Chaudhary, signed the agreement. It has been given to understand that the venture has received clearance form the Sri Lankan ministry of defence.

Offered in a 17-seat, cargo or VIP configuration, the US manufactured twin-engine aircraft model 1900C is capable of flying non-stop to Maldives or India. The aircraft is also uniquely positioned, in that it would be able to use virtually all of Sri Lanka's airfields.

With the induction of the $3 million Beechcraft, Deccan Aviation also becomes the only company to offer both helicopters and fixed wing options to customers.

According to plans, the new alliance will offer a 'flying bus' service to inbound tour operators at competitive rates from the international airport, and also for the first time, offer local corporate flyers a concept that the West has long been accustomed to - a deluxe private aircraft for corporate, domestic or international charters.