Sri Lanka and Korea concluded a successful round of air services consultation in expanding bilateral Air Transport arrangements between the two countries in Seoul, Korea during 19thto 20th February 2013.
During the Consultations, the Sri Lankan side agreed to grant traffic rights for Korean Air to operate flights to Maldives via Colombo whereas the Korean side agreed to grant traffic rights for Sri Lankan Airlines to operate to Seoul from Colombo via Hong Kong.
Accordingly, Korean Air will commence operating direct flights from Seoul to Colombo three times a week, with effect from 9th March 2013 and will operate flights to Maldives from Colombo and will return to Seoul from Male via Colombo, thereby re-establishing direct air links between Sri Lanka and Korea after a lapse of more than 25 years.
This expansion of aviation arrangements will facilitate the movement of people and goods and will provide new business opportunities for the aviation industries of both countries to the benefit of their peoples. Further, this arrangement would enable for Sri Lankan and Korean companies to expand their business/investments while boosting Korean tourist arrivals to Sri Lanka. Sri Lankan delegation also invited designated carries of Korea to commence flights to Mattala Rajapaksa International Airport where special incentive and concessions would be available for start –up carriers.
Sri Lankan delegation for the consultations was led by Dr. Ravindra Ruberu, Secretary of the Ministry of Civil Aviation. Mr. Tissa Wijeratne, Ambassador for Sri Lanka in Korea, Mr. H.M.C Nimalasiri, Director General & CEO of Civil Aviation Authority, Mr. Dhammika Attygalle, Advisor to the Minister of Civil Aviation, Mr. Mahen Gopallawa, Senior State Counsel from Attorney Generals Department, Ms. Tilani Silva, Legal Officer from the Ministry of External Affairs, Mr. G.T Jeyseelan, Chief Marketing Officer & Mr. Sri Senanayake, Manager International Relations, of Sri Lankan Airlines and Mr. Charitha Yattogoda, Minister Counsellor(Commercial) of the Embassy of Sri Lanka in Korea, were the other members of the delegation.
The last round of bilateral consultations between the two countries was held during 24th to 25thof July 2007in Colombo, Sri Lanka.
Embassy of Sri Lanka in Korea
Seoul
