Aviation

Helicopters to play major role in local oil exploration

INTEREST in oil exploration off the coast of Sri Lanka by both local and international players is creating a potential new market. Several support service providers would virtually assist Sri Lanka and this would develop in the cauvery basin off Mannar.

The Government too is making a big international push to generate the large global industry that has developed purely to support offshore exploration.

Aberdeen (Scotland) is a good example of the profusion of specialized companies that play a critical role in keeping the rigs in the North Sea.

The city boasts the busiest civilian heliport in the world - and is a hive of activity as thousands of tons and hundreds of people are flown to and from the cities anchored in the treacherous sub arctic waters.

Deccan Aviation Lanka’s confounder and CEO Suren Mirchandani, who is closely following developments in the allocation of the 5 blocks, two of which have been promised to regional giants India and China said that his company Deccan aviation would also play a vital and leading regional role in the oil exploration game.

Our company can put oilrigs (like floating cities) either for exploration or extraction. All cities need support, fresh and daily supplies of food and water, rotation of crews, emergency repairs and we have the capacity to

 supply them by air as we are the only company to have both helicopters and fixed wing aircrafts.

“Helicopters provide that critical support. A typical rig may have up to 300 staff on board,” he said.

Rigs aren’t well suited for cargo vessels as Seas tend to be rough, and helicopters have been the backbone of the offshore oil industry.

“Deccan Aviation India, is the major partner, which is among the foremost experts in providing offshore support for a number of global corporations already working in the Indian Ocean area, such as Reliance, ONGC and Cairn Energy.

“In Sri Lanka, we are getting prepared with the training, approvals, tools, and understanding of the ground situation.

“The clients rely on us totally to provide a reliable or availability rate of 99 per cent and count on us for all their daily transport arrangements,” he said.

Asked if the oil companies don’t bring their own helicopters he answered in the negative. “They hunt for oil and we fly the hunters,” he said.

It is very important that the government agencies managing the effort are fully briefed on the availability of such services from Sri Lanka. “We will put some effort into this area,” he said.

SS

Double miles from Emirates to London

PASSENGERS flying to London in November or December would be entitled with Emirates, in the form of double Skywards Miles from the award-winning frequent flyer programme of Emirates and SriLankan.

Sri Lanka enjoys the distinction of being one of the top 10 countries in terms of Skywards’ memberships.

 Worldwide membership in the programme, which is available in over 200 countries, has topped three million.

Skywards members resident in Sri Lanka and those who join specifically to benefit from this great offer, will receive Double Skyward Miles on every flown mile when they fly to Heathrow or Gatwick from Colombo and return between November and 15 December, Emirates’ Colombo office announced this week.

Emirates Sales Manager Devika Ellepola said: “These Skywards Miles are the equivalent of two free return tickets from Colombo to Maldives or to South India, and represent an amazingly generous reward. This is a fabulous incentive to register as a member of Skywards and to fly Emirates in the holiday season.”

The bonus Skywards Miles on offer is in addition to the Miles that would normally be earned in respect of the flight by the Skywards member.

Miles accrued from Skywards can be redeemed for free air tickets or many other benefits offered by Skywards, including upgrades, hotel accommodation, excursions, exclusive shopping, and fine dining.

Singapore serves Las Vegas

SINGAPORE Airlines’ has connected Singapore and the United States cities of Las Vegas and Phoenix, due to a codeshare agreement between Singapore Airlines and US Airways.

From October 7, Singapore Airlines’ customers travelling to Las Vegas and Phoenix enjoys seamless travel, by connecting via Los Angeles or San Francisco, Singapore Airlines’ West Coast gateways, on US Airways services.

US Airways customers travelling to Singapore will be able to book as a codeshare customer on Singapore Airlines’ non-stop services from Los Angeles and one-stop services from San Francisco (via Hong Kong).

From Singapore hub, US Airways’ customers can also easily connect onto codeshare flights operated by Singapore Airlines to Amsterdam, Zurich and Manchester.

“The conclusion of the codeshare agreement is a testament to the strengthening of relationship between Singapore Airlines and US Airways, the airlines Star Alliance partner.

This codeshare agreement will not only bring convenience and benefits to customers of both Star Alliance airlines, but also help to build trade, investment and tourist links between Singapore and more US cities.

In time to come, we will add more US cities to the codeshare agreement,” said Singapore Airlines’ Executive Vice President, Marketing and the Regions Huang Cheng Eng.

“We’re happy to offer Singapore Airlines’ customers access to our hub cities of Las Vegas and Phoenix, with easy connections to 90 destinations throughout the United States, Canada, and Mexico through US Airways’ extensive route network,” said US Airways’ Senior Vice President, Schedule Planning and Alliances Andrew Nocella.

Members of Singapore Airlines’ award-winning frequent flyer programme, KrisFlyer will be able to accrue miles when they fly on the codeshare flights or on the US Airways network.