Deccan to launch int’l cargo flights

Deccan Aviation Lanka is looking at launching intentional logistics and cargo flights to the region and beyond this year. The airline hopes to lease out a suitable aircraft for this purpose.

Deccan Aviation Vice Chairman Suren Mirchandani, said that they are the first company to announce the launch of cargo flights based on the proposed Mattala International Airport. “One of the main reasons for this is that the airport is focusing 60 percent on cargo operation and we see great potential from Mattala,” he said. We also plan to launch cargo flights from the Colombo Airport as well.

The airline has announced firm plans to commence daily scheduled operations to Jaffna in 2012. “For this purpose, we are currently looking at purchasing a 12 to 14 seater commuter aircraft in a few months,” he said.

Domestic helicopter and aircraft operator, Deccan Aviation Lanka (DAL) also said that Millennium Aero has acquired a 48% shareholding in DAL held by Bangalore based Deccan Charters Ltd recently.

Singapore based Millennium Aero has acquired the entire equity interest of Deccan Charters and infused additional working capital into DAL.

When asked whether Deccan Lanka would rebrand, Mirchandani said, “There is no doubt that the airline has a strong brand presence in the corporate and travel industry, but the new shareholder group may look at rebranding in the medium term,” and did not comment when asked to reveal the growth plans of the company only saying “That would be giving away too much to our future competition, I can only say we intend to maintain and further cement our market leadership position.”

Deccan’s Sri Lanka venture was put together in 2004 by local investor Suren Mirchandani in partnership with Indian aviation mogul Captain Gopinath. Regarded in industry circles as a pioneer who played a key role in re-building the domestic airline sector, Mirchandani’s family holding company Favourite Investments will continue to have a significant equity stake in the venture.

Airline operates helicopters to all parts of the country and flies to all local airports. In addition to its own operations the airline maintains and provides services for a number of private aircraft owners. Widely acknowledged as the market leader, the airline has a strong pipeline of new business bolstered by the entry of Millennium Aero of Singapore.

The new board of the company comprises Chairman Kevin Pocock, Vice Chairman Suren Mirchandani, Harsha Amarasekara, Denham Schokman and Yeo Sock Hwa.