IATA urges Sri Lanka to develop blueprint for stronger aviation industry

Dhaka: International Air Transport Association urged Sri Lanka to develop a blueprint to bring prosperity through a stronger aviation industry and generate greater economic growth.

“Aviation connectivity can play a much bigger role in Sri Lanka’s economic development and social advancement. However, the government’s support will be critical to growing a strong airline sector and developing Colombo as an aviation hub,” said Philip Goh, Regional Vice President for Asia Pacific, IATA.

“We urge the country’s government and all the industry stakeholders to collaborate on developing an aviation blueprint to strengthen the aviation industry’s competitiveness and bring greater prosperity to Sri Lanka.”

“IATA stands ready to support Sri Lanka through our expertise and sharing the industry’s best practices,” added Goh.

In a 2018 IATA study, Sri Lanka’s aviation sector supported some 700,000 jobs and contributed USD 8 billion to GDP. This has the potential to increase to over 1 million jobs contributing nearly USD 30 billion to the GDP by 2038.

In his keynote remarks at Aviation Day Sri Lanka, organised by IATA and the Civil Aviation Authority of Sri Lanka (CAASL), Goh suggested three areas to consider in the aviation blueprint: facilitating sustainable growth, safety, and sustainability.

“Sri Lanka’s aviation blueprint needs to facilitate the sustainable growth of the industry and having an updated airport masterplan is the first step. I urge the government to engage in a consultative approach involving airlines to ensure that industry input is factored in,” said Goh.

Goh also urged Sri Lanka to digitise processes for passenger and cargo facilitation.

“Many of the country’s passenger and cargo processes continue to be paper based. As traffic grows, digitalisation will be key to address capacity constraints, increase efficiency and improve the travel experience. IATA’s One ID and One Record initiatives can help support this,” mentioned Goh.

Goh also highlighted the need to keep costs low, in particular jet fuel. Airlines pay more for jet fuel in Sri Lanka than at other major airports in Asia.

He recognised much has been done in recent months to lower the cost of jet fuel, and encouraged the government to review and consider placing limits or capping the amount that CEYPETCO can mark up for supplying fuel at the airport.

“It is important for Sri Lanka’s aviation sector to grow sustainably in a safe manner, and IATA is doing our part to support the country’s efforts. Utilising the International Airlines Training Fund, IATA will support the aviation industry in Sri Lanka by conducting safety related training in August for CAASL and Sri Lankan Airlines,” noted Goh.

Goh encouraged the government to explore how the IATA Operational Safety Audit (IOSA) and IATA Safety Audit for Ground Operations (ISAGO) can be used to contribute to greater aviation safety in Sri Lanka.

“I am delighted that net zero carbon from aviation by 2050 is one of the stated policy goals of Sri Lanka’s sustainable aviation environment policy, including the need to ensure the availability of sustainable aviation fuels (SAF) in the country,” claimed Goh.

SAF is expected to abate over 60 per cent of aviation carbon emissions by 2050.

Lastly, Goh called on the government to adopt a comprehensive consultation process involving airlines and other aviation stakeholders as the government develops sustainability policies.

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