‘Commissions paid to aircraft buyers standard practice’: Ex-AASL Board Member
Text and Pic by Nishan S. Priyantha Former Airport and Aviation Services (Sri Lanka) Limited (AASL) Board member Professor Sonal Fernando yesterday asserted that commissions paid to aircraft buyers were included in the purchase price and that refusing such a commission could result in the cancellation of the transaction. Speaking at a press conference at the […]
Former AASL Board member Professor Sonal Fernando claimed that commissions paid to aircraft purchasers were factored into the purchase price, and that refusing such a commission could lead to the termination of the deal. At a press conference at the Airport Garden Hotel in Katunayake yesterday, Prof. Fernando stated that aircraft buyers were compelled to accept commissions offered by aircraft manufacturers, their representatives, or brokers.
He elaborated that aircraft could be procured directly from manufacturers, through authorized representatives, or through brokers, with the latter option being potentially more cost-effective. Prof. Fernando painted a stark picture of the international aircraft market, labeling it as "mafia-like," and questioned the negotiation and execution processes involved.
Furthermore, he vehemently opposed SriLankan Airlines' intended acquisition of Airbus A350 aircraft, branding it as a "foolish decision." Notably, Prof. Fernando revealed that an Airbus A350 procurement agreement had been drafted during his tenure on the AASL Board but was later abandoned by the previous administration. Lastly, he expressed skepticism regarding the necessity of updating or expanding Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) in Katunayake, asserting that its current facilities would be sufficient to satisfy requirements for another quarter-century.
Written by urgent.news from The Island Sri Lanka's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
