Date:May 28 2007
Apparel Industry is facing difficulties due to reduced to and fro flights from the Bandaranaike international Airport (BIA).
The Board of Airline Representatives (BAR) said in a statement that arrival and departure of flights have been reduced to 267 now from 298 before April 26, including cargo flights.
According to the Joint Chairman Logistics Committee, Rohan Masakorala of the Joint Apparel Association Forum (JAAF), flights from Hong Kong are effecting the industry since only Sri Lankan Airlines operate in this route and have a limited cargo carrying capacity.
Sri Lankan apparel industry mainly depends on imports from Hong Kong.
Masakorala says, "50 to 60 percent of accessory inputs for the garment industry are imported. Hong Kong is one of the main sourcing points. Previously Cathay Pacific had direct flights to Hong Kong. Now Cathay is no longer operating, so we have to find connecting flights. But these connecting flights are uncertain and many times our cargo has got off loaded at connecting airports. This is delaying the entire supply chain,".
