October 04, Colombo (LNW): Sri Lanka may soon witness a significant leap in its domestic aviation landscape, with plans underway to launch a scheduled airline service using mid-sized aircraft capable of seating between 50 and 70 passengers.
The initiative, expected to take flight within the next six months, aims to resolve a persistent challenge that has long hindered the equitable spread of tourism across the island.
The proposal was revealed by Peter Hill, a veteran of the aviation industry and former Chief Executive Officer of SriLankan Airlines, during a high-level panel discussion at the International Tourism Leaders Summit 2025.
The event, held at the Bandaranaike Memorial International Conference Hall (BMICH) in Colombo, brought together global and local tourism stakeholders to explore the theme of “Tourism Innovation and Connectivity for the Future of Sri Lanka Tourism.”
Hill, who is actively involved in shaping the prospective airline, addressed a critical obstacle facing the industry: the time-consuming and often impractical overland travel to key regions such as Jaffna, Trincomalee, and the Eastern coastline.
While these destinations boast rich cultural heritage and natural beauty, they remain underutilised due to poor internal connectivity.
“Travelling to many parts of the country still takes far too long,” Hill noted, highlighting how the lengthy journeys by road dissuade tourists from venturing beyond the well-trodden routes. A journey from Colombo to Jaffna, for instance, can exceed nine hours by car, while the same trip would take less than an hour by air.
The solution, according to Hill, lies in introducing the right type of aircraft—not the costly helicopters and limited-capacity air taxis currently available, but comfortable, efficient turboprops with room for both passengers and their luggage. He emphasised that such aircraft are already widely used in regional aviation markets around the world and are easily obtainable.
This shift, he argued, could dramatically improve the tourist experience and stimulate economic activity in underdeveloped regions by opening up quicker, more reliable travel options. Tourists, he added, are increasingly willing to pay for time-saving alternatives that maximise their experience within limited itineraries.
Although the concept is still in the planning phase, Hill confirmed that discussions with potential investors are ongoing, and that regulatory adjustments would be necessary to transition from ad-hoc charter flights to a fully-fledged scheduled carrier. He acknowledged that the project would require support from government authorities to move forward smoothly.
“There’s still a journey ahead in terms of permissions and logistics, but if all goes to plan, we could see this become a reality in the next six months,” Hill stated, signalling cautious optimism. “It’s something the country badly needs, and the timing is right.”
