Helitours (Colombo Ratmalana) has been forced to suspend commercial flights operations after the Civil Aviation Authority of Sri Lanka (CAASL) withdrew Certificates of Airworthiness (COA) for its pair of MA-60s.
According to a statement issued to The Sunday Times, of the two turboprops, one is grounded for maintenance while the other is used to operate military flights for its parent, the Sri Lanka Air Force, pending recertification for civilian use, expected by month-end. The carrier also operates a Y12E for passenger charter flights although passengers are required to sign indemnity forms before using them given its lack of compliance with civilian aviation regulations.
Helitours offered scheduled flights between the Sri Lankan airports of Colombo Ratmalana, Trincomalee Harbour, Ampara Gal Oya, Jaffna, Batticaloa, A'pura, Vavuniya, Kilinochchi, Trincomalee China Bay, Colombo International, and Hambantota.
