Following recent public discussions surrounding Air Ceilao, the company has shared further insight into the challenges faced during its establishment process and reaffirmed its commitment to launching operations as Sri Lanka’s second private airline.
According to Air Ceilao Founder and Chairman Janith Kashan, the project was initiated during the politically transitional period surrounding the 2024 elections, which created uncertainty for investors and the wider business environment. As a result of the instability experienced during that period, one of the investors reportedly withdrew from the project, leaving the remaining investor to continue supporting the venture.
Despite these setbacks, Air Ceilao states that a considerable amount has already been invested into staffing, office operations, infrastructure development and other preparatory work required for the airline’s launch.
The company also faced major operational challenges linked to the global shortage of Airbus A320 aircraft, an issue that affected many airlines worldwide, including Sri Lanka’s national carrier. Due to the limited aircraft availability, Air Ceilao even held several rounds of discussions with Boeing as an alternative option. However, introducing a completely new aircraft type into Sri Lanka would have required extensive groundwork, additional approvals, technical support systems and operational infrastructure.
Air Ceilao further confirmed that its Air Operator Certificate (AOC) process is currently in its third stage, with the company now awaiting the final green light from its investor to proceed with operations.
“Our dream is to see Air Ceilao take to the skies as Sri Lanka’s second private airline and we hope to make that a reality soon,” Janith Kashan stated.
The company also emphasized that the project has been entirely privately funded, noting that no financial assistance or investment has been taken from the Sri Lankan Government. Air Ceilao says it has consistently followed all aviation regulations and worked closely with the Civil Aviation Authority of Sri Lanka (CAASL) throughout the certification process.
Janith Kashan further noted that building an airline in today’s global environment remains extremely challenging, particularly following the pandemic, Sri Lanka’s economic crisis and ongoing Middle East tensions, all of which continue to create uncertainty across the aviation and business sectors.
“As entrepreneurs, forecasting the future of the aviation industry has become increasingly difficult under current global conditions. However, our passion for aviation and belief in this project remain unchanged,” he added.
