Sri Lanka’s National career SriLankan Airlines is in the process of acquiring two Twin Otter 400 aircraft to start domestic air taxi services on the island, aviation sources told the media today.

The air taxi service is to commence operations in January 2011 targeting the winter season tourists. The aircraft, both Twin Otter 400s are twin-engine aircraft capable of carrying 15 passengers and luggage. The aircraft will be outfitted as seaplanes enabling them to land on pavement, sea, river, or lake surfaces.

Head of Worldwide Sales for Sri Lankan Airlines Mohamed Fazeel told the media that the new service will enable travellers to reach any part of the island within 40 minutes.

Earlier the national carrier SriLankan Airlines operated an air taxi service to several domestic destinations but suspended flights in 2007 due to deteriorating security and a drop in foreign visitors during the war. Now with the war over and tourist arrivals booming, it’s only natural to upgrade and reinstate the service, said Fazeel.

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