A Colombo businessman is publicising plans to launch a scheduled passenger carrier called Air Ceilão which he says will harness Sri Lanka’s strategic position as a regional aviation hub and "reshape how the world views air travel."
Air Ceilão chairman Janith Kashan told local outlets late last month that launch plans "are already in motion" and talks with the Civil Aviation Authority of Sri Lanka had begun regarding the necessary permits and licences. "Starting with a fleet of narrow- and wide-bodied aircraft, the airline will initially connect passengers to key destinations in the Middle East and Asia Pacific," his publicity material reads. "Phase two of the expansion will see Air Ceilão stretching its wings even further reaching long-haul destinations across Europe and Australia."
According to Kashan's LinkedIn profile, his other occupations include being co-founder and CEO of TravelHub Asia Pvt Ltd; country general manager of Book Logic; co-founder of Trip Genie; and chairman of Thambapanni Distilleries Pvt Ltd. As for Air Ceilão, he has not disclosed details such as aircraft types, funding sources, or prospective timelines. ch-aviation contacted Kashan for further information on Air Ceilao.
If Air Ceilão takes off, it will become Sri Lanka's fourth active scheduled operator, alongside SriLankan Airlines, FitsAir, and Cinnamon Air.
