First Lankan amphibian aircraft to fly this month

Simplifly ( formerly Deccan Aviation Lanka) has taken delivery of its new amphibian aircraft in December 2012 and is currently in the final stages of training operations in advance of commercial flights.

Owned by Fairway Holdings, a local company engaged in property development and other businesses, the advanced Cessna T206H will be managed and operated by the airline on behalf of the owners of the aircraft, according to a spokesman for Simplifly.

“We congratulate Fairway Holdings on the induction of their first aircraft and thank them for selecting Simplifly as their operating partners. Fairway has a bold new vision aimed at linking tourism and aviation in Sri Lanka, and thus, we will be working closely with them to develop a completely new business model for this aircraft – for applications ranging from whale watching to excursion flights,” said Suren Mirchandani, Vice Chairman, Simplifly

He said that with the growth in Sri Lanka’s economy, many companies with interests around the country will likely be looking at having their own aircraft or helicopters for their business activities. “Fairway Holdings is the first of many to do so. We see the potential to manage many more aircraft on behalf of companies that understand the benefits of owning an aircraft, but do not wish to have their own license and infrastructure,” he said.

The Cessna 206 is a five passenger aircraft that features a full glass cockpit, leather seating and the capability of operating to all airfields and most waterdromes in the country.

The airline has recently launched its Ready- Jet- Go! programme, a turnkey aircraft management solutions for companies that wish to have their own corporate aircraft in Sri Lanka, providing operating licenses, hangars, pilots and engineering under one roof and turning the aircraft’s idle time into revenues by chartering it to third parties.

The airline announced that they aim to start commercial operations this month, ahead of several other start- up airlines who have also announced plans for floatplanes.

Simplifly operates a Bell Jet Ranger helicopter, a GA8 airvan, a Cessna 206 amphibian aircraft and will be inducting a Bell 407 VIP helicopter in the months ahead.

The airline flies high- end tourists and corporate travellers to all airports, waterdromes and any place where a helicopter can land. Fairway Holdings is the owner/ developer of the award winning Fairway and Fairmount high- rise apartment buildings and is considered a leader in “vertical living”.

Fairway’s third residential development SkyGardens is under construction.