15 November 2019 12:01 am
The government has reached a decision to increase overflying charges after almost four decades expecting 57 percent increase in revenue.
The Transport and Civil Aviation Ministry in a statement said the charges, which are based on aircraft size will come into effect from next February.
The overflying charges were reviewed based on International Civil Aviation Organization policies for the determination of air navigation charges.
Overflying charges will be increased between 69 percent and 85.6 percent as per aircraft type.
Overflying charges for A 320 aircraft will be increased from US$100 to US$ 169 while the charges for A 380 aircraft will be increased to US$ 356 from
US$ 250.
As a result, the annual revenue collection is expected to rise to US$ 12.3 million from the current US$ 7.8 million, which will be a 57 percent or US$ 4.5
million increase.
About 125 aircraft use Sri Lanka’s air space on a daily basis. Sri Lanka last reviewed its overflying charges in 1981.
As the Indian air space is flooded with increased traffic, Transport and Civil Aviation Minister Arjuna Ranatunga pointed out that the demand for Sri Lanka’s air space will increase significantly resulting in an increase in foreign exchange for the country.
He noted that Sri Lanka’s overflying charges were considerably undervalued before the review.