FitsAir to establish strong presence across SAARC
Sri Lanka’s aviation infrastructure has made significant progress over the years said Fits Aviation Director Ammar Kassim.
“While there is always room for improvement, we are generally satisfied with the current state of infrastructure and are actively collaborating with relevant authorities to further enhance the passenger experience.”
Since Sri Lanka is heavily promoting tourism, investments in aviation infrastructure can help improve efficiency, reduce costs, and enhance the overall competitiveness of the local aviation industry’ he opined.
The following are excerpts of a Q and A session with Director Ammar Kassim Fits Aviation, Sri Lanka’s only private airline.
Q: Why did the company decide to launch an airline during an economic crisis?
A: We have been in the aviation industry for 25 years! We anticipated a post-COVID travel boom and decided it was an opportune moment to start our international passenger operations.
We are convinced Sri Lanka needs a low-cost airline, and we are here to fulfil that. The Gen Z customer wants to pick and pay only for services they require, we are striving to optimize an unbundled service offering, without compromising on safety or Sri Lankan hospitality.
Our planning, combined with our commitment to offering exceptional value and service, has allowed us to navigate the challenges and build a strong foundation for future growth. We are very optimistic about the next 3 years and our journey.
Q: Any particular reasons to select Chennai Maldives and Dubai for the initial operations?
A: We currently operate with three A320 aircraft and began operations by serving Dubai in the UAE and Maldives and recently expanded into Chennai. Where we operate is decided on market research and on what would make sense for our narrow-body short-haul aircraft.
Dubai, Maldives and Chennai are popular among travellers, and there is a high point-to-point demand for air travel. Additionally, Dubai is a hub for international travel, while the Maldives and Chennai are popular for businesses, leisure, and visiting friends and relatives (VFR) travel. These are also growing markets with an increased number of travellers every year.
As a low-cost carrier, we can offer a competitive price to these destinations. Our strategy is to establish a strong presence across the SAARC region and offer convenient connections to our passengers.
Q: What were the seat factors that were maintained during these routes?
A: We have a had positive response from the market with a rapid increase in passenger load on these routes. Especially in the last 2 months, there has been a significant improvement in seat occupancy, especially in Dubai and Chennai. For a new airline, these are promising indicators.
Q: What are the future route expansions the airline is looking for?
A: FitsAir is committed to expanding its network to better serve our passengers. We are continuously evaluating potential new destinations that align with our strategic goals and market demands. We will share more information on future route expansions as they are finalized.