Mack Air ventures into charter operations with launch of special seafarers’ repatriation flight

July 17, 2020 marked yet another exciting milestone for Mack Air – the airline division of John Keells Holdings PLC, as it ventured into charter flight operations with the launch of a special private charter flight between Dubai and Colombo.

The collaborative efforts of Mack Air and Mackinnon Mackenzie & Company (Shipping) Ltd, the shipping agency arm of John Keells Holdings, put forward in order to assist the repatriation of international seafarers of different nationalities.

The COVID-19 pandemic has had a profound impact on global shipping. However, due to the vital service provided by the seafarers, the global supply chain has continued to provide essential goods and services to all parts of the world.

Mack Air Chief Executive Officer Anil Bandara said, “We are committed to offer options for shipping agencies who intend to conduct bulk ship crew transfers for sea farers via Sri Lanka. Sri Lanka has become a hub of such operations. Our global representation in the aviation industry since the year 1980 has supported immensely for international air travel industry and now we are quite keen to assist other industries to explore the new normal way.”

Seafarers are at the heart of global supply chains as they provide a vital service in these difficult and unprecedented times. Mack Air is proud to have pledged its commitment to enable safe travel for seafarers awaiting for repatriation, amidst the global COVID-19 pandemicinduced travel restrictions.

Mack Air (Pvt.) Ltd is a subsidiary of John Keells Holdings PLC (JKH), Sri Lanka’s largest listed company in the Colombo Stock Exchange, operating over 70 companies in seven diverse industry sectors. In 2020, the John Keells group celebrates 150 years of being in business and contributing to the development of the country.

JKH provides employment to over 14,000 persons and has been ranked as Sri Lanka’s ‘Most Respected Entity’ for the last 14 years by the LMD Magazine. For more inquiries contact the private charter division: mackair@keells.com or visit its office located at No: 11, York Street, Colombo 1.