Flying schools taking off into Lanka's restricted skies

Despite flight restrictions due to security concerns, flying schools are suddenly taking off the ground in Sri Lanka. At the moment two companies are operating flying training schools in the island and over the last year, the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) says it got three more applications.
The CAA says the sudden burst of aviation education is due to the growing demand for commercial pilots in the Asian and Middle Eastern region. “Aviation is growing globally and especially in our part of the world. So this means a corresponding demand growth for commercial pilots,” said deputy director (personnel licensing), at the CAA, Susantha de Silva.
Over the last year, the number of domestic airports open to flying training, was also increased from just Ratmalana and Katukurunda, to include Koggala and Weeravila. So at this point, flying training institutions have up to four domestic airports to use for educational purposes.
Local entrepreneurs are coming forward to make use of the emerging opportunity. The CAA points out that India and China alone will need 10,000 pilots within the next four years, not to mention demand within Sri Lanka itself.
Executive director of Skyline Aviation Romesh Fernando says there are multiple benefits to encouraging aviation training inside the island. “The country will get a lot of income if we are able to offer pilots for airlines in other countries and young people will have a new, very well paying employment opportunity. Also we are able to offer international standard training at a fraction of the cost,” said Fernando.
Skyline says a CPL/IR-multi engine qualification can now be obtained in Sri Lanka within 12-14 months, with savings on studying abroad. Given the growing regional demand for pilots, this is seen as one of the most lucrative investments for young people in Sri Lanka. Already, India is recruiting foreign nationals as pilots to meet the domestic shortage and many Sri Lankan pilots are taking up the Indian opportunity.
20/04/08 Dilshani Samaraweera/Sunday Times.lk, Sri Lanka