Israel's El Al airlines has begun regular cargo service to Sri Lanka after several other carriers scaled down their flights following a Tamil rebel attack at the country's only international airport.
Aviation secretary W.P.S. Jayawardena said El Al began weekly service from Monday, August 20, by operating a Boeing 767 that could carry 40 tons of cargo.
The move to grant permission to El Al followed a government decision to liberalize the entry of cargo carriers into the country following the July 24 Tamil rebel attack on Colombo airport.
Hong Kong's Cathay Pacific withdrew services to Sri Lanka while several other international airlines scaled down flights to Colombo as underwriters began slapping war-risk insurance on aircraft flying to Colombo.
The Sri Lankan government is in talks with Lloyds of London in a bid to have the war-risk premiums reduced both for aircraft and ships calling at Colombo.
The additional insurance premiums have forced several international shipping lines to by-pass Sri Lanka, effectively reducing 60 percent of the cargo capacity through the Colombo port. ― (AFP, Colombo)
© Agence France Presse 2001
© 2001 Mena Report (www.menareport.com)
