Sri Lanka Air Force on its anniversary day on 02nd March 2022, marked another milestone for the Helitours (Domestic Commercial Air Transport Service of Sri Lanka Air Force) when the company received the Air Operator Certificate (AOC) from the Civil Aviation Authority of Sri Lanka (CAASL) to recommence commercial air transport operations after a period of silence for the last couple of years.

Helitours (Private) Limited is the premier commercial air arm of Sri Lanka Air Force since 1972. This was initiated with the greater expectation of boosting the domestic civil air transportation sector in Sri Lanka. With the reinstatement of certifications through Civil Aviation Authority of Sri Lanka, Helitours is looking forward to commence scheduled flights to Anuradhapura, Palaly, China Bay, Ampara, Batticaloa and Mattala airports as well as chartered flights which will provide convenient access to the destinations in the entire island.

The Chief Executive Officer of Helitours, Air Vice Marshal Prasanna Payoe  received the Air Operator certificate from the Director General of Civil Aviation Authority of Sri Lanka, Captain Themiya Abeywickrama in the presence of Accountable Manager of the Helitours, Air Vice Marshal Udeni Rajapaksa, Manager Flight Operations, Group Captain Poojana Gunathilake, Manager Engineering, Wing Commander Lanka De Silva and several other higher level officials including the Deputy Director General Flight Safety and Regulation of Civil Aviation Authority, Mr. Saman Gunawardana at the Civil Aviation Authority of Sri Lanka premises.